Nicky Adams’ goal six minutes from time grabbed a deserved win for Rochdale meaning Preston North End have now failed to win in the league in eight games.
Adam’s tapped in from 12 yards after Stuckmann had saved from the magnificent on loan Manchester City man Harry Bunn.
Stuckmann had earlier saved a Gary Jones penalty, whilst the returning Neil Mellor hit the post from 3 yards when it looked harder to miss than score.
Phil Brown shuffled his side slightly from the team that drew 0 – 0 at home to Southend United in the FA Cup.
Graham Alexander replaced Barry Nicholson who had only just recovered from a broken rib, whilst Southampton loanee Jonathan Forte was recalled for his league debut for the Whites, as Ian Ashbee was left out all together.
Hitman Neil Mellor was also fit enough to take his place on the substitutes bench after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Rochdale manager Steve Eyre made two changes to his side that lost 1 – 0 to Bradford City in the FA Cup last week with new loan signing Roland Bergkamp, the nephew of Arsenal star Dennis Bergkamp, making his first start for the club in place of Andrew Tutte and top scorer Ashley Grimes replaced Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro up front.
Both teams looked to attack from the off, but with no real cutting edge or end product.
Danny Mayor who looked lively first went on one of his trademark mazy runs, before later crossing for Juvhel Tsoumou on 12 minutes, but his header went aimlessly wide.
Rochdale had their first attempt on goal after 20 minutes, but captain Jones’ right footed 25 yard effort flew well wide.
Bunn was then set free down the left by Jones, but his dangerous cross was well grasped by Stuckmann.
At the other end, good work from Paul Coutts down the left allowed Forte to head over from 12 yards when he really should have done much better.
The best chance of the first half fell to Dale’s Adams who volleyed over from 12 yards after great work from Bunn down the left.
Substitute Mellor who received a rasping welcome back reception from the North End faithful had his effort chalked off for offside just before the break.
Graham Alexander then fired a low drive wide of David Lucas’ right post after Mellor had set the ball back to the veteran from a Forte cross.
Rochdale had the majority of the early play in the second half and Bunn was close to breaking the deadlock, but he fired a low drive into the side netting to the disappointment of the travelling contingent.
But 10 minutes into the second half Bunn was pulled down in the box by Conor McLaughlin, however Jones’ spot kick was superbly kept out by Stuckmann who dived low to his left to palm away.
Stuckmann was becoming somewhat of a penalty specialist with that being his fourth penalty save against Dale in 11 days.
The save seemed to sure the game into life and Dale pushed again a minute later, but Grimes’ low cross averted everyone.
At the other end, McLaughlin nearly went from villain to hero as his low cross found Mellor at the back post, but from just 3 yards the former Liverpool man hit the post in what was one of the misses of the season.
On the hour mark, Forte twice teed up substitute Adam Barton, but he first fired into the side netting from 10 yards and then inches wide from 25 yards.
Bunn was at it again for Rochdale as his quick feet in the area gave himself space to surely score the opener, but Stuckmann was in the way again blocking from 8 yards.
North End’s Mellor then found himself one on one with Lucas, but he fired well over the bar on 75 minutes.
Minutes later, Coutts brought a high ball down and fired a low volley from 15 yards which Lucas punched away.
Then against the run of play Nicky Adams snatched the three points for Dale with eight minutes remaining.
The superb Bunn did brilliantly to turn McLaughlin before his shot was saved by Stuckmann, but Adams made no mistake tapping into the open net from 12 yards.
Paul Parry looked to have been tripped by Dean Holden in the box late on, but referee Mr Langford deemed it to be a dive meaning Rochdale acquired their first league win in seven.
You can also follow Jamie on twitter: @Jamie_Journo
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