At 3-1 the scoreline was even better when you consider the injuries inflicted on County meaning that Jim was forced to shuffle his pack during the course of the game.

David Poole and Rob Clare both passed late fitness and went straight into the side. Tes Bramble also managed to shake off a knock sustained in training. Besides Adam Proudlock, Jim therefore had a full strength squad to choose from.Dale included former County man, Glenn Murray in their starting eleven.

The wonderful Stockport County support had made the relatively short journey up the M60 to cheer their boys on. They made the Willett Road stand their own with two giant flags making their way around the stand.

County forced an early corner that Robinson delivered. A sea of bodies rose for the ball and Gilks pushed the ball clear. It fell only as far as Robinson who floated the ball back in and Bramble headed back in on goal, the keeper had to be at his best to deny County an early start.

The game was extremely physical from the outset, with both teams looking up for it. There were some crunching tackles flying in left, right and centre but County just shaded the early exchanges.

On the 12th minute County created another good opportunity when Tes Bramble won the ball just over the halfway line and he fed a deep cross into Alfie, but the home keeper was equal to iy.At the other end Chris Dagnall's speculative 18 yard shot went high and wide.

Dale went a little closer on the 19 minute mark though when they fed a deep ball into former County man Glenn Murray whose shot went just wide of the far post.

GOAL! County were ahead just moments later when Ashley Williams scored a sensational strike from 25 yards out, that Gilks could do nothing about. The wonderful County fans had got their just rewards.

Rochdale had a good chance to equalise ten minutes before the break when an unmarked Sako was fed the all in the area, fortunately for County his first touch let him down and the County support breathed a sigh of relief.

The Hatters were nearly another goal up when Tes Bramble won the ball and from a similar distance as Ashley Williams he tried a speculative effort that went marginally wide of the far post.

The first half was dampened when Adam Le Fondre had to be stretchered off, having falled awkwardly after a challenge by Nathan Stanton. An ashen faced Le Fondre was replaced by Michael Malcolm. Stanton was deservedly booked.

GOAL! County were two up when Gareth Owen's header from Mark Robinson's corner was blocked by the hand of Mark Jackson and County were awarded a penalty. Robinson converted with ease, placing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

Second Half

County won a free kick from 18 yards out during the opening exchanges and Dinning, who is still looking for his first goal since returning to the club, went just inches wide

GOAL! Rochdale were given a lifeline when Rob Clare was adjudged to have fouled Murray as he headed clear. Gary Jones slotted home the resultant penalty.

Dale nearly equalised moments later when Sakos low shot was saved by John Ruddy.

County went desperately close seconds later when Michael Malcolm fed the ball to Tes Bramble. The big man found himself one on one with the Dale keeper, but his shot went just wide of the post.

County lost Gareth Owen on the 57th minute mark and the Hatters started to lose some shape. Indeed after Dale's goal they were under the cosh for long periods. The home side thought they had found a way through when the ball was played to the head of Moyo-Modise, but it took a wonderful clerance from Ashley Williams to deny them.

Just to prove County were still in the game, Michael Malcolm made a wonderful run into the box and executed a drive that bounced off the cross bar and out.

At the other end Ruddy brilliantly turned Sako's 18 yard drive onto his left hand post and out of danger, to the relief of the County support that must have numbered around 2,000.

The ususally dependable Ashley Williams nearly undid his good work in the first half when he slipped and allowed Moyo-Modise a one on one with Ruddy, however the pacy frontmans shot was poor and the on-loan 'keeper saved.

GOAL! County scored a conspicuos third on the 80 minute mark when Tes Bramble got on the end of a ball that looked to be miles off side and he dispatched beyond a disparing Gilks. The referee was correct, though, as Bramble was played on-ide by a limping James Sharp.

County somehow managed to keep the score at 3-1 seconds later when Moyo-Modise turned and volleyed from a few yards out, the ball was destined for the back of the net but Ruddy pulled off a wonderful acrobatic svae to keep the scoreline safe.

For the first time in nearly 10 years, County fans were in full voice of,  'Up the Football League we go, when we get promotion ...' On form like this you never know!

Man of the Match: Rob Clare. Solid as a rock.