An 89th-minute penalty from Tom Kennedy secured Rochdale a deserved 1-0 victory at Adams Park against an in-form Wycombe side.

The first half failed to sparkle, with Dale debutant Rene Howe spurning the best chance of the opening exchanges.

The rest of the half lacked goalmouth action but Howe should have broken the deadlock in the 45th minute when he burst through on goal, only to drag his shot making it easy for Fielding to save.

Rochdale captain Jones blasted over from a tight angle in the 52nd minute, latching on to a glorious Rory McArdle pass before substitute Stefan Oakes nearly stole the points for Wycombe in the 81st minute.

Just as the game looked to be drifting towards a draw, Craig Woodman brought down Ben Muirhead in the box and Kennedy confidently stepped up to smash home his first goal for the club.