A week ago it was Macclesfield who pegged back the Magpies and this time it was Dale's turn to leave Notts with only one win in their last 14 matches, no win at all in the last seven and no home win in the last nine.
These are dreadful statistics and the first 45 minutes were equally abysmal with barely a scoring opportunity created by either side as the spectators watched a completely tedious affair. The frustration of the Notts fans spilled over and they booed off their team at half time.
It took a thrilling break by David Pipe, just named by supporters as their player of the year to bring the match to life. Pipe bust through the middle and his electric pace carried him clear of the pursuing Rochdale defenders only for his shot to be saved off the legs of Rochdale goalkeeper Matthew Gilks.
This was the first time Gilks had been called into serious action and he had no chance of saving when Notts took a 72nd minute lead.
Dan Martin got the better of Mark Jackson just inside the Rochdale half and sprinted through, controlling the ball well, before firing low inside the goalkeeper's left-hand post. Martin's third goal of the season was well taken and lifted the gloom.
Then, nine minutes from the end, came referee's Graham Salisbury's big controversial decision. He decided that Notts central defender Julien Baudet, although he appeared to take the ball, committed a foul and awarded a penalty which Rochdale's leading scorer Rickie Lambert converted.
The best of the late chances fell to Rochdale and Baudet atoned by clearing off the goal line from substitute Ernie Cooksey who seemed to have an ideal opportunity to win it for the visitors.