ROCHDALE surrendered a two-goal lead to fall to a narrow defeat against Manchester City.

The Blues, boasting Dietmar Hamann and Joey Barton among their ranks, rallied from 2-0 down to beat Steve Parkin's team 3-2.

And while England in Germany found it hard to take penalties, Barton and Paul Dickov were both spot on with second-half awards.

Substitute Dickov settled a lively friendly at Spotland in the 64th minute after Ismael Miller was felled in the box by Simon Ramsden.

And that followed on from the first penalty four minutes earlier, converted by Barton after Lee Croft had been upended by trialist Joseph Edje.

Dale were 2-0 up in only 12 minutes as last season's leading scorer Rickie Lambert struck after City were undone by Iyseden Christie's cross.

Then Gary Brown knocked in a rebound after Nicky Weaver - replaced at half-time by Kasper Schmeichel - could only parry Adam Rundle's shot at the end of a long run, started by Hamann's slip.

Georgios Samaras, on target twice against Wrexham last week, pulled a goal back just before half-time, following good work by Hamann and Stephen Ireland.

ROCHDALE: Gilks, Ramsden, Jackson (Boardman 6), Cooksey, Doolan, Stanton (Thompson 29), Christie (Moyo-Modise 76), Rundle (Coleman 68), Brown (Warburt on 84), Lambert (Dagnall 57), Goodall (Edje 46) 20

CITY: Weaver (Schmeichel 46), Jordan (Logan 77), Richards (Flood 77), Distin (D'Laryea 69), M.Mills (D.Mills 46), Croft (Sturridge 77), Barton (Williamson 77), Ireland (Johnson 73), Hamann (Laird 65), Sibierski (Dickov 63), Samaras (Miller 63).

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

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