ROCHDALE ended their run of poor away results with a goal-packed victory at the Recreation Ground.

Without an away win since the start of November, Dale defied the statistics to race into a four-goal lead by the interval, Joe Thompson bagging his first hat-trick in senior football.

His first came in the 16th minute when he headed home Nicky Adams' corner. Thompson doubled Dale's lead when he pounced on a defensive slip by Anthony Charles to fire past Mikhael Jaimez Ruiz and scored his third in the 33rd minute, heading home another Adams cross.

Ciaran Toner added the fourth on the stroke of half time, blasting a 20-yard effort into the roof of the net.

Marvin Morgan netted from close range for Aldershot in the 75th minute and Dale were down to 10 men when Nathan Stanton was dismissed for a foul on Morgan in the area, Scott Davies netting from the penalty spot.

What is your verdict on the game? Have your say.

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