Dale were undone by two strikes from Daniel Johnson and a Jonathan Forte penalty in front of over 7,000 spectators at a bouncing Spotland Stadium on Saturday.

Dale picked up an impressive point when drawing 2-2 at Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday but have been plagued by suspensions and injuries to key first team players in recent weeks.

Top-scorer Matty Done’s diving header gave Rochdale an early lead, but goals from Kyle Bennett, Theo Robinson and Curtis Main secured the three points for Doncaster in the League One clash.

Hill was less-than-impressed with his team’s frenetic 2-1 FA Cup victory over Northampton Town on Tuesday night and made his feelings known to the players during and after the game.

Late goals from Reuben Noble-Lazarus and Olly Lancashire helped Dale come from a goal down to snatch victory in their first-round replay at Spotland Stadium.

Rochdale’s five-game unbeaten run was ended thanks to Michael Brown’s second-half strike, pushing Keith Hill’s team out of the League One play-off places and down to eighth.

Rochdale played the majority of the tie with ten men after captain Ian Henderson was dismissed, but struck the woodwork twice in a tightly-fought match at Sixfields.

Rochdale are one of a number of football clubs nationwide offering futsal scholarships for 16 to 18-year-olds, with the intention of encouraging graduates to study at university or pursue a career in sport at a high level.

Goals from Jack O’Connell, Ian Henderson and Matthew Done put Rochdale into the play-off places as they ended Preston’s eight-match winning run on Saturday

Rochdale sit ninth in the division after two impressive away victories against Yeovil and Swindon and Hill is pleased with the positive energy surrounding the club at this stage of the season.

Jack O’Connell’s first ever goal for the Dale and a double from captain Ian Henderson were sufficient to secure back-to-back away wins for Hill’s men as they defeated Yeovil 3-0