James Belshaw - 6
Beaten by a clinical Luke Charman finish for the opening goal and was left with no chance when the striker bundled home unmarked to make it a brace. Had a relatively quiet second half and was unlucky to see his save land kindly for Corey O'Keefe to make it 3-1. However, when Belshaw grabbed a late long throw it was celebrated like a goal.
Luca Hoole - 6
Got into good attacking areas without capitalising enough. Taken off in the second half as Joey Barton went all out for victory.
Connor Taylor - 5
Not at his usual high standards. Afforded Charman too much space for the opener and then spurned a big chance to pull one back. Was taken off in the second half. Unclear if that was entirely tactical or if there was an injury concern.
James Connolly - 6
Struggled early but improved. Missed a big chance to put Rovers ahead, stabbing wide after goalkeeper Jake Eastwood dropped a cross at his feet. Cruelly, Rovers were behind less than a minute later. His clearing header that brought the final whistle prompted huge celebrations.
Josh Grant - 4
Endured a nightmare afternoon. Was left exposed several times as Rochdale burst forward, which was not necessarily his fault, but his decision making was really poor for Dale's second goal. He tried to intercept a pass for O'Keefe and didn't get there. He had time to recover but dived into a challenge, which the winger evaded before digging out a cross for Charman. Grant then turned his ankle 10 minutes later. Tried to play on but had to come off. Barton later took the blame for throwing him back in too soon after injury.
Paul Coutts (c) - 5
Was a sitting duck in the first half at times as Rovers' failure to get to grips with the counter-attacks of Dale gave forwards a chance to run freely at him. Much, much better in the second half, raking countless pinpoint passes out wide to start attacks. However, he was shown a straight red card in stoppage time after Rovers went ahead. If he is out for three games, that is a problem.
Harry Anderson - 7
His afternoon was not going well with good chances to attack lost by lax touches, but he was brilliant late in the game. Played a decisive role in the second and third goals.
Sam Finley - 8
One of the few who was in control in the first half, and he continued in the same vein after the break. He got Rovers on the front foot time and again and it was his goal that got them going in the second half.
Antony Evans - 7
Was having a scruffy game, short of his usual quality but he was the difference-maker in the second half. He assisted Rovers' first and second goals and was given a hero's reception at full time.
Elliot Anderson - 8
Quiet in the first half, but Rovers managed to get him on the ball much more after the break. Indirectly, that opened up other spaces in the defence that Rovers exploited. He went on to assist the winner with a brave stooping header to keep the attack alive.
Aaron Collins - 9
The goal drought is no more. Eight games without a goal coming into this, but he popped up with a second-half hat-trick in a defining moment of the season. All three were predatory finishes that will delight his manager, and his third, deep into stoppage time, triggered bedlam at Spotland
Substitutes
Luke Thomas (for Grant on 35') - 7
Made Rovers better after coming on in the first half. A thorn in the Rochdale side but was guilty of taking too long over a good chance.
Ryan Loft (for Taylor on 74') - 6
Was struggling to make an impression on the game but his cross-shot led to the winner.
Sam Nicholson (for Hoole on 78') - 6
Went close with a header onto the roof of the net.
Subs not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Nick Anderton, Glenn Whelan, Alex Rodman.
