Kairo Mitchell and Devante Rodney fired Rochdale to a 2-0 win on an emotional day for hosts Aldershot.
After a minute’s silence in memory of former club chaplain the Reverend Mike Pusey, who died last month aged 90, Aldershot started on the attack but James Henry fired over the bar.
Mitchell was well denied by home keeper Marcus Dewhurst before opening the scoring when he turned home Tobi Adebayo-Rowling’s cross.
Rodney smashed home a second and the 2-0 lead lasted until the break as Henry sent a free-kick against the crossbar and another effort over.
Shots substitute Jack Barham was denied a late consolation when his header was ruled out by the offside flag.
