Port Vale 1-0 Rochdale
Veteran midfielder Michael Brown scored his third goal of the season as Rob Page recorded his fifth win after eleven games in charge.
Manager Rob Page made five changes with Veseli, Dickinson, Daniel, Robertson and Brown coming into the side.
However, it was the visitors who were in charge for much of the opening period with Vale’s only incident of note a chance that saw Dale keeper Conrad Logan pull off a fine save.
Chris Neal also did well for the Vale with a fine second-half save before the Valiants took the lead on the hour mark through Michael Brown.
Moments later, the Valiants could have doubled their advantage but sub Ben Williamson failed to take advantage of a one-on-one change.
Vale then had to survive some anxious moments as Dale pushed for an equaliser, but the much-changed defence held out for a rare clean sheet.
It was Page’s fifth win in eleven games since taking over as manager in September and a result that will give the whole club a boost after the disappointing FA Cup exist last weekend.
Vale: Neal, Yates, Veseli, Roberton, Dickinson, Brown, O’Connor, Marshall, Lines, Daniel (Birchall), N’Guessan (Williamson)
Subs: Johnson, Campion, Moore, Slew, Dodds
Attendance: 5,043 (566 away)