Another Mani Dieseruvwe brace, along with a Kyron Gordon goal on his 100th Dale appearance, secured three points which, coupled with York City’s defeat at Boreham Wood, sent Dale two points clear at the top with a game in hand.
There was one change to the starting eleven from Saturday’s 2-0 win at Aldershot Town, as Ed Francis came in for the injured Harvey Gilmour.
Dale were ahead inside three minutes, when Dieseruvwe netted his 22nd of the season, converting Aidan Barlow’s left-wing cross at the near post.
Despite Dale seeing the vast majority of possession in the opening period, they weren’t able to add to that early lead, with Devante Rodney seeing a low shot saved and Joe Pritchard firing a well-worked corner routine over the bar.
Pritchard and Barlow both had efforts from outside the area blocked and Dan Moss headed a deep cross into the arms of the Brackley goalkeeper.
Dieservuwe then forced Jonny Maxted into another smart stop, but with almost their first effort at the Dale goal, the visitors equalised, when Zak Lilly sent a looping header from a corner into the back of the net.
Barlow’s effort was deflected onto the roof of the net moments before the break, before he curled a shot narrowly wide of the far post after the restart.
The visitors’ best effort of the second period came from Zak Brown, who curled a shot from outside the area narrowly wide of the far post.
However, minutes later, Dale restored the advantage, with Dieseruvwe netting his ninth brace of the season.
After some patient probing, Ryan East played a low ball into the feet of the striker, who turned superbly and chipped over the onrushing Maxted for his second.
Barlow and substitute Tyler Smith fired off target as Dale pushed for a third, which came via a set piece, with Gordon marking a century of appearances for the club with a near-post header from East’s wide free-kick.
The ever-dangerous Smith had a shot blocked and another well saved from a tight angle, before Oliver Whatmuff held Jack Price’s header.
The visitors did score a second when Lilly netted in added time, to make the final moments nervy for those inside the Crown Oil Arena, but Dale held on to move to the top of the National League table.
Dale XI | Whatmuff, Gordon, East, Ebanks-Landell ©, Dieseruvwe (79’ Duku), Rodney (63’ Smith), Pritchard (46’ Allarakhia), Barlow, Moss (79’ Tutonda), Perry, Francis (63’ Pettit).
Unused subs | Burger, Henderson.
Scorers | 3’ 60’ Dieseruvwe, 71’ Gordon.
Brackley Town XI | Maxted, Calder, Morrison (86’ Dean), Brown, Roberts (65’ Harratt), Lowe, Nottingham, Wodskou (86’ Hall), Elliott-Wheeler (86’ Andrews), Lilly, Byrne © (72’ Price).
Unused subs | Worby.
Scorers | 39’ 90+4’ Lilly.
Attendance | 2,280 (17 away).
