Rochdale lead hosting Crawley Town 1-0 at half time of their League One clash thanks to Matt Done's strike.
It was Crawley, however, who dominated much of the opening 45 minutes after falling behind at the Broadfield Stadium.
Stephen Dawson sent an effort over the bar from 20 yards early on for Rochdale, before Done put the away side in front with a powerful finish from outside the box.
Rochdale keeper Conrad Logan then produced a smart save to deny Matt Harrold, who had connected sweetly with Ryan Dickson's cross from the left.
From the resulting corner, Harrold headed across goal to present a great chance for Sonny Bradley, but he could only hit the ball over the bar.
The dangerous Harrold then had another header denied by Logan as Crawley looked for a deserved equaliser.
