Phil Brown looks like a haunted man sitting down throughout the game devoid of the usual entusiasm and life that players and fans have come to know throughout his managerial career.
Forte and Tsoumou were partnered up front whilst Alexander returned to midfield alongside young Clark. The back four remained the same after keeping a clean sheet in the Cup against Southend.
The first half represented little in the form of entertainment with Rochdale happy to contain whilst playing on the break and Preston failing to create any meaningful chances although Mayor looked bright on the wing.
The one bemusing point of the first half was when the returning Mellor was brought off the bench after only 25 minutes to replace Tsoumou who clearly wasn't injured and the decision wasn't tactically. Clearly Brown has a lot of faith in Mellor and none in Tsoumou.
The second half was a much more open game with Rochdal waltzing through the Preston defence on at least one occassion forcing Stuckmann into action.
Mayor was Preston's most influential outfiield player who set up Mellor for a sitter who it the post with an open goal begging from less than six yards. Brown's faith was not being repaid.
Rochdale then had a penalty as a man was brought down in the box but Stuckman saved what was a poor penalty. The keeper was called into action on a few occassions throughout the half.
Whilst the referee failed to spot numerous offences by Rochdale, Preston failed to convert any of the possession that they had and they soon paid for it.
Rochdale grew in confidence and forced a save from Stuckmann but unfortunately the rebound fell to Adams who tapped home. It was unfortunate for the German who had an outstanding game.
Preston pressed for an equaliser and Brown made another confusing substitute by taking Mayor off who was Preston's biggest threat on the wing with Nicholson coming on.
The Whites were denied a clear penalty in stoppage time when Parry was clearly brought down in the box but the referee adjudged the full back to have dived.
It says a lot when Preston's keeper was named man of the match but Brown must be under intense pressure to halt Preston's winless run which now stretches back to almost two months.