Devante Rodney scored in the third minute of stoppage time to earn Rochdale a 2-1 home win over Sutton in the National League.
Dale looked like being held until Rodney converted with time running out to strengthen his side’s grip on a play-off position.
Ryan East put Dale ahead in the 22nd minute when he nodded home Tobi Adebayo-Rowling’s cross.
But the visitors were level seven minutes later with Eduino Vaz converting from the rebound after Will Davies was denied by Luke McNicholas, only for Rodney to steal the points.