Chris Dagnall rescued a point to keep Rochdale on track for promotion after a 1-1 draw with Lincoln.
The Imps belied their lowly position with a gritty display against the runaway leaders and almost soaked up Dale's intense pressure until Dagnall struck.
Drewe Broughton and Davide Somma had both tested Frank Fielding in the Rochdale goal before Lincoln took the lead in the 27th minute.
Cian Hughton's low cross into the middle was controlled by Davide Somma and he turned to see Chris Herd unmarked on the left side of the area, the midfielder stroking the ball wide of Frank Fielding.
Dagnall had Rochdale's best effort of the first half with a stinging drive that Rob Burch pushed round the post.
After the break the hosts turned up the heat on Lincoln's backline, Will Atkinson and Chris O'Grady both seeing efforts saved.
The pressure finally told in the 69th minute when Dagnall wriggled free of two defenders and though Burch and defender Joe Anderson got something on it, they were unable to keep it out.
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