Fleetwood 1 Rochdale 0

The less said about the first half at Highbury the better, an attritional affair in which Rochdale dominated the ball but neither side created a clear chance.

That did change within minutes of the break, Fleetwood having thrown a second striker into the mix at the expense of the ineffective Nick Haughton.

On a day of big defenders and bigger challenges the youngster looked lost, the home side producing nothing until the 46th minute, when Josh Morris broke free down the left, fizzing a shot past the far post.

Jamie Allen then went close for the visitors, getting a head on Joe Bunney’s cross after the wide man had reached the byline - Chris Maxwell reacting well to scoop the ball off the line.

The second half pot was beginning to boil nicely and just before the hour Josh Morris spiced things up in spectacular fashion.

With man mountain Rhys Bennett floored Town moved the ball swiftly from right to left, the on-loan Blackburn winger appearing on the edge of the box and taking aim.

His low drive was too good for Jamie Jones, tucking nicely into the far corner - a third in as many games for Town’s top scorer.

Rochdale looked to haul themselves level with a display of brutality over beauty.

But it was Fleetwood who came closest to adding to their tally.

Stewart Murdoch was the width of a crossbar away with his looping 20 yard effort, Morris finding space on the rebound but dragging his shot wide with the goal open.