Rotherham United grabbed a dramatic late equaliser deep into injury time to remain undefeated at Don Valley Stadium.
With time ebbing away Reuben Reid pounced on a Drewe Broughton knockdown to smash the ball into the top corner to earn a point after the Millers were two goals behind.
Rotherham began the game well forcing a series of early long throws into the area but the Dale defence was up to the task on each occasion. The first chance then fell to Rochdale on four minutes when Adam Rundle ran to the edge of the area but he shot tamely wide.
On 14 minutes Andy Warrington had to be alert when Clark Keltie took a quick free kick which was saved low down by the Millers number one. Rotherham then went straight up the other end and almost took the lead when Reuben Reid shot from 20 yards but Sam Russell managed to spill an awkward shot wide of the post.
On 22 minutes Dale almost broke the deadlock when a deep cross by Simon Ramsden found Adam Le Fondre but his shot was blocked by Warrington. Soon after Danny Harrison had the Millers' best chance of the half when he shot from just inside the area, but Russell was equal to the effort, palming the ball wide.
As the half went on Rotherham struggled to get any foothold in the game and could have no complaints when four minutes before half time Rochdale took the lead. Will Buckley barged his way into the penalty area, his shot was brilliantly saved by Warrington but the re-bound fell to Jordan Rhodes who converted from six yards.
Half time
Rotherham United 0 v 1 Rochdale
During the interval Mark Robins replaced Ryan Taylor with Broughton but the change did nothing to invigorate the Millers. Dale continued to look more threatening and Buckley went close shooting over after a pass by Gary Jones. In the 51st minute Dale's pressure was rewarded and they deservedly doubled their lead, when Jones played in Buckley who fizzed in a low drive past a stranded Warrington.
On the hour mark Rotherham missed a great chance to equalise when Jones miscued his clearance, but Broughton failed to convert the loose ball from six yards out. Rochdale thought they added a third on 64 minutes but Rhodes was denied a second by the linesman's flag.
It seemed that the Millers were heading for defeat but then on 70 minutes the game took a new twist. Rochdale substitute Lee Thorpe dove into a challenge with Ian Sharps, referee Darren Drysdale judged it a dangerous tackle and sent him off after only three minutes on the field.
Rotherham then rallied and pulled one back in bizarre fashion. Pablo Mills headed a clearance back into the area which was then flicked on by Rory McArdle, over his own 'keeper and into the net.
The Milllers then piled on the pressure with both sub Alex Rhodes and Broughton going close in a matter of minutes. With five minutes remaining a Broughton header was cleared off the line by Rundle, whilst at the other end Chris Dagnall shot over when running clear.
Deep into the fifth minute of stoppage time the Millers' late pressure was rewarded when Reid showed his strikers instinct to snatch a very late point and send the Don Valley faithful into raptures.
Full time
Rotherham United 2 v 2 Rochdale
Rotherham: Warrington; Lynch, Sharps, Fenton, Nicholas, Hudson (Rhodes 70), Harrison (Cummins 65), Mills, Burchill, Reid, Taylor (Broughton ht).
Subs not used: Cann, Green.
Booked: Reid
Rochdale: Russell; Ramsden, McArdle, Stanton, Kennedy, Buckley (Toner 71), Jones, Keltie, Rundle, Le Fondre (Thorpe 64), Rhodes (Dagnall 81).
Subs not used: M.Jones, Wiseman.
Booked: Keltie
Sent Off: Thorpe
Referee: Darren Drysdale
