Match ends, Walsall 0, Rochdale 3.
WalsallWalsall0RochdaleRochdale3
Calvin Andrew scored twice after Andrew Henderson had hit Rochdale's opening goal at Bescot as new Walsall boss Sean O'Driscoll suffered his first defeat.
Andrew Cannon cut the ball back for Henderson to fire an early first-time shot past home keeper Neil Etheridge.
George Evans' blocked 20-yard drive was Walsall's only effort of note as they struggled to create clear chances.
Andrew headed Dale further ahead from a 58th-minute corner before sweeping in a third on the break late on.
After their first defeat in eight games, in all competitions, the morning League One leaders drop out of the automatic promotion places to third.
Rochdale are now up to ninth, within six points of the play-off places.
Walsall head coach Sean O'Driscoll told BBC WM:
"Frustrating. We didn't play well enough so we've got to take it on the chin.
"We started slowly but, credit to Rochdale, they've done their homework on us.
"They made it really difficult for us to get any rhythm.
"We huffed and puffed but we didn't really do enough."
Rochdale boss Keith Hill told BBC Radio Manchester:
"It was the perfect performance. The players have executed the game plan to perfection. Not many mistakes.
"We totally dominated. I was really pleased with our game plan and the way we created opportunities.
"We've got a lot of respect for Walsall but, over 90 minutes, that was a great reflection of the capabilities of the squad we've got."
Line-ups
Walsall
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Etheridge
- 2Demetriou
- 6Downing
- 4O'Connor
- 3TaylorSubstituted forHenryat 73'minutes
- 12Forde
- 7Chambers
- 27Evans
- 21CookSubstituted forMorrisat 45'minutes
- 10Sawyers
- 15LalkovicSubstituted forBradshawat 59'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Mantom
- 9Bradshaw
- 14Henry
- 16Preston
- 18Morris
- 22Kinsella
- 23Roberts
Rochdale
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Lillis
- 25Rose
- 6Lancashire
- 4McNulty
- 27CannonBooked at 67mins
- 28CampsSubstituted forBennettat 85'minutes
- 8Lund
- 12McDermottBooked at 35minsSubstituted forMendez-Laingat 90+2'minutes
- 7VincentiBooked at 82minsSubstituted forAllenat 86'minutes
- 9AndrewBooked at 90mins
- 40Henderson
Substitutes
- 3Bennett
- 5Eastham
- 10Alessandra
- 11Noble-Lazarus
- 19Mendez-Laing
- 21Musangu
- 24Allen
- Referee:
- Graham Salisbury
- Attendance:
- 4,857
Match Stats
Home TeamWalsallAway TeamRochdale
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home3
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home0
- Away11
- Corners
- Home1
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 0, Rochdale 3.
Post update
Romaine Sawyers (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Rhys Bennett (Rochdale).
Post update
Attempt missed. George Evans (Walsall) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Rochdale. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing replaces Donal McDermott.
Post update
Rico Henry (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Calvin Andrew (Rochdale) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Calvin Andrew (Rochdale).
Post update
Foul by George Evans (Walsall).
Post update
Ian Henderson (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Donal McDermott (Rochdale) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. Michael Rose (Rochdale) left footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Post update
Foul by Rico Henry (Walsall).
Post update
Andrew Cannon (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Rochdale. Jamie Allen replaces Peter Vincenti.
Post update
Foul by George Evans (Walsall).
Post update
Calvin Andrew (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Rochdale. Rhys Bennett replaces Callum Camps.
Post update
Corner, Rochdale. Conceded by Jason Demetriou.
