Braces from top scorer Sophie Coates and new signing Hanna Chlodek, alongside a late strike from Katie King ensured of a much-needed three points on the road.
Dale started brighter of the two sides moving the ball well on a difficult surface.
Coates was the first to have an effort on goal with a shot from outside the box which the ‘keeper tipped round the post.
Pilkington cleared the resulting corner well, but Dale got the ball forward again where Gracie Smith dribbled round the defender only to be took out in the area for a spot-kick.
Coates made no mistake firing the ball into the bottom right corner inside 14 minutes.
Dale continued with their pressure where new signing Chlodek and skipper Alicia Barnett were causing the opposition all sorts of problems in the wide areas and the second goal wasn’t too far away.
An excellent through ball from Darcy Moran put our new forward Chlodek through on the right, she squared the ball to Coates who fired into the bottom left and doubled Dale’s lead.
Her brace means she now has 34 goals this season, one away from the club’s record.
The home side stepped things up but were met by incredible defending and anything that got through to keeper, Nash dealt with.
Brilliant link up play between Barnett and Coates in the build-up, they worked the ball up the pitch to put Chlodek through, she fired past the keeper for her first in a Dale shirt since signing from Chorley.
The three-goal lead at the break soon became two when Pilkington picked up on a loose ball from a set piece which fell to Laura Butters who fired an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.
Dale were still in control and that three-goal buffer was restored, Coates put the ball through for Chlodek who rounded the keeper to fire home for a debut brace.
Pilkington began to throw everything at Dale but the defence stood strong to limited attacks.
When we had possession we looked dangerous our fifth of the game came through King as Hollie Burke found herself in good space on the right, her pinpoint pass was fired into the bottom left corner by the midfielder, another impressive strike to put daylight between the sides.
Pilkington did manage to get themselves another goal right at the end but this would only be a consolation in a big win.
Boss Lee Atkinson was pleased with both sides to his team’s performance in a game full of goals.
“We had to up our levels and that’s what we did.
“We were so creative and dangerous in possession and our out of possession work today was sublime
“It was an impressive team effort and in truth our away results of late haven’t really matched our performances but today it did.
“It’s just what we needed as we look ahead to what will be our last game before Christmas, Atherton away where we will be going full of confidence looking to build on this performance.”
Dale XI | Nash, E. Jones, Malpus, Whyte, Smith, Moran, Coates, Barnett (c), King, Chlodek, Southworth
Subs | Hayden, Hunt, Burke, Mason, Lawler
