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Without ever looking at their best the promotion-chasing home side were simply too good for Notts County who didn't muster a single shot or chance in the game.
The only surprise was that it took so long for the home side to take the lead, but once they had got their noses in front in first half stoppage time there was only ever going to be one winner.
The opening goal came courtesy of a driving run by skipper Gary Jones and when he fed the ball to teenager Will Buckley he turned to fire past the unprotected Josh Lillis in the Notts County goal.
The home side continued to dominate in the second period and doubled their lead on 74 minutes when substitute and leading scorer Adam Le Fondre turned provider with an inch-perfect cross from the right-hand side that was bundled home from point-blank range by striker Chris Dagnall.
Le Fondre provided the final goal deep into time added on when he wriggled his way into the penalty area and saw his hard low cross-cum-shot helped into his own goal at the near post by the hapless Lillis.
Whilst Notts County remain in the lower reaches of the division the win lifted Dale up to eighth, just a point outside the play-off places with at least one game in hand over the sides above them.