Stevenage did begin the game brightly and having penned the visitors back would have hoped to have done better when Ritchie Hanlon struck tamely at the keeper after just six minutes.
Michael Brough also came close for the home side when he fired over the bar with an effort from the edge of the box. But chances proved few and far between as the well organised Rochdale side held Stevenage at bay and in turn went in search of the opener.
Paul Tait forced a diving save at the feet of Stevenage keeper Andy Woodman while Ernie Cooksey curled one effort.
Rochdale began the second half with a flurry and signalled their intent when the impressive Leo Bertos fired one against the cross bar only for Tait to blaze the rebound wide.
Rochdale did not have long to wait before they took the lead and it was Grant Holt who headed them infront on 70 minutes when he connected after Woodman had parried a Bertos drive.
Rochdale then turned the screw and saw a host of chances fall their way as Holt blasted another against the post while Tait and Bertos also came close.
Rochdale finally made it safe in added time and Holt beat Laker and drew up the ball in for a second by this time it was against 10 men as just two minutes earlier home keeper Woodman had received his marching orders after bringing down Bertos with Stevenage electing to put Dannie Bulman in goal.