Cian Hayes headed a late winner as Rochdale capitalised on Swindon having a man sent off to secure a 1-0 victory and increase the pressure on Ian Holloway.
Under-fire Robins’ boss Holloway branded himself a “dead man walking” in a viral pre-match interview but his side looked to have done enough to secure a welcome point at the Crown Oil Arena.
But Kaelan Majekodunmi was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 85th minute and Rochdale struck three minutes later to snatch the points as Hayes glanced home Aden Flint’s knock-on.
Neither goalkeeper had been seriously tested in the opening half, though it took Flint’s timely intervention to prevent Anthony Munda’s low drive from troubling Nils Ramming in the Rochdale goal.
After the interval, Antwoine Hackford was denied by Ramming while Rochdale frontman Dajaune Brown missed a golden opportunity in the 66th minute when he got his feet in a tangle and failed to convert Glenn Middleton’s inviting delivery.
Brown saw a volleyed effort pushed over the bar by Connor Ripley, who later saved brilliantly from Charlie Tasker before Hayes delivered the decisive blow.
