Rochdale moved two points outside the relegation zone as goals from Ethan Hamilton and Ethan Ebanks-Landell helped the Dale secure all three points at the Banks's Stadium.
Rochdale led after just four minutes as Ethan Ebanks-Landell managed to latch onto a Dale corner and lashed the ball home into the top left-hand corner of the net.
The Dale continued to control the game and nearly got a second goal with Andrew and Ebanks-Landell’s headers just glancing over the bar. Walsall levelled in the 36th minute after a brilliant solo goal by the captain Joe Edwards. The midfielder picked the ball up just inside Rochdale’s half and drove towards the Dale goal before striking the ball into the bottom left-hand corner, past a helpless Josh Lillis in the net.
The Saddlers nearly took the lead just before half-time after Morgan Ferrier brilliantly turned past the Rochdale defender but his shot was too powerful and went over the bar.
The second half started at a higher intensity as both teams started to created chances with Ian Henderson’s and Morgan Ferrier’s shots being easily saved by their respective team's keepers. Rochdale regained the lead on the hour mark after midfielder Ethan Hamilton was allowed to cut inside and curl the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Walsall continued to push for an equaliser late on with substitute Aramide Oteh’s shot being cleared off the line by Jimmy McNulty and Cameron Norman’s header saved by Josh Lillis in the net but Rochdale proved to be more clinical on the day and returned home to Greater Manchester with all three points.