Rochdale's missed out on a return to second as Burton returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory.
Early Walker goal denies Dale a return to second
Rochdale's hopes of climbing back into second place were dashed as Burton returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win in a Pirelli Stadium thriller.
Burton registered their first win in seven games and kept only their second clean sheet of the season to halt their slide down the table.
Richard Walker grabbed the only goal in the third minute when his 10-yard shot took a deflection off Nathan Stanton after a cross from the right by Greg Pearson.
The home side found themselves under increasingly heavy pressure as Will Buckley shot into the side-netting in the 10th minute and also had an effort smothered by Burton keeper Artur Krysiak.
Burton had another scare when Chris O'Grady's shot was deflected narrowly wide before Simon Whaley headed too high in a goalmouth skirmish.
Burton had their chances too, with Pearson and Walker both going close, while Whaley wasted a couple of further opportunities for the visitors.
