Their first team managed to hold Newton to a goalless draw and the point enabled Newton to move level on points with division leaders Irlam Steel. But Steel still have three games in hand and remain title favourites.

The former Accrington boss has enjoyed an impressive first fortnight in charge of Dale after leading his new side to a 3-0 win over local rivals Bury.

Coleman’s first away day as Spotland chief sees a daunting trip to the runaway league leaders – but with new strikers Michael Symes and Paul McCallum joining the ranks on transfer deadline day, Dale venture south in high spirits.

Sterling individual performances from Simpson on his debut in goal and O’Donoghue up front for Horse & Farrier meant the leaders had to work harder than they may have thought for their 10th win of the campaign but they prevailed comfortably enough thanks mainly to the sharp finishing of four-goal Gavin Lynskey.

North Star ran out 9-0 winners against a side they trail in the Premier Division of the Rochdale & District Sunday League.

Dale’s first game under new boss John Coleman produced the club’s first win in 10 games, a 3-0 success against the Shakers.

Mellor did the business with a hard-earned 4-3 win at lowly Hooley Bridge Celtic to move within five points of Hey with a game in hand.

The charged atmosphere of a derby battle is sure to provide Coleman with a red-hot welcome on his Spotland debut as Dale boss, and the new man at the helm is determined to make an immediate impact.

So Dale fans will have been cheered to see the new boss start as he means to go on this week when he was unveiled to the press corps.

In the other Group A match, struggling Wardleworth succumbed to defeat once again as Littleborough hit three past them with a brace from Tim Astley and a goal from Nathan Taylor. Mario Botezatu bagged Wardleworth’s only goal in the 3-1 defeat.

But reigning champions Whalley Range retained their unbeaten record and stay seven points adrift of Hey with five games in hand as they beat Old Stretfordians 3-1.

Having spent the last 13 years as manager of Accrington Stanley, orchestrating three promotions during his time at the Crown Ground, Coleman has accepted the challenge of staving off a return to the Football League’s basement division for struggling Dale.

Coleman was at Prenton Park for Dale’s goalless draw against Tranmere on Tuesday, prompting rumours of a move to Spotland for the Accrington Stanley chief.

The new Dale manager’s working week began amid speculation linking former number two David Flitcroft with a return to Spotland. But far from feeling unsettled by talk of a usurping, Beech was in buoyant mood ahead of today’s home game against Stevenage.