The only goal of the game came in the 70th minute through Liam Sercombe, who turned home a long throw-in.
Jimmy McNulty made one change from Dale’s last league outing – the 3-1 Boxing Day win at AFC Fylde – as Jili Buyabu came in for Tobi Adebayo-Rowling.
The reverse fixture between the sides earlier in the season at the Crown Oil Arena resulted in Dale’s only 0-0 league draw of the season to date, despite McNulty’s men dominating possession.
The first half at The New Lawn followed much of the same pattern, with the hosts’ shots on goal either well-blocked or off-target.
Aidan Barlow had a curling effort of his own blocked, whilst Devante Rodney dragged a shot wide of the near post after winning the ball high up the pitch and driving into the area.
A sublime flick in the centre of the park from Rodney led to Dale’s closest effort of the first 45 when he released his strike partner Kairo Mitchell, whose shot across the face of goal hit the far post.
Rodney had another effort well saved by the legs of home goalkeeper Jed Ward, before seeing a shot well blocked in the final action of the period.
After the break, the hosts saw chances from Sercombe and Jamie Robson go off target, whilst Barlow had a shot blocked and Mitchell directed Buyabu’s cross wide.
Dale goalkeeper Sam Waller made a good double save after a long throw-in fell to a home shirt, saving a snapshot and then a follow-up header.
Rodney had another effort from the edge of the area which was held before the hosts’ long throw weapon resulted in Sercombe turning home from the edge of the six-yard box.
McNulty’s men continued to control the majority of the game with Jid Okeke causing problems down the right. It was his cross that led to the ball clearly striking the outstretched arm of Harvey Bunker in the Forest Green area, but the officials didn’t deem it to be a handball by the home defender.
Dale pushed but couldn’t find a route to goal, as the hosts kept their position at the top of the National League table.
Dale XI | Waller, Gordon ©, East, Gilmour (87’ Ayinde), Mitchell, Rodney, Barlow (79’ McBride), Hogan, Okeke, Buyabu (79’ Allarakhia), Beckwith.
Unused subs | Ferguson, Burger, Dennis, Henderson.
