Dale secured a 4-1 win over Leyton Orient over the weekend, but fast-moving Bradford City gave them a large dose of their own medicine, especially in the second half when the wheels came off for the home side.
From being unluckily two goals behind at half-time, Dale conceded another three goals after the break when they were run off their feet. They also had a couple of men booked and one sent off in a 'blood-spattered' second half.
The Bantams were in front after seven minutes when 36-year-old striker Dean Windass nipped between two defenders to slot a cross from the right into the back of the net.
On 40 minutes Danny Cadamarteri got the second when he bundled the ball in following a corner kick.
After a fairly good first half Dale still seemed to be in the game, but a snap-shot from Windass after 66 minutes dimmed those hopes and another from Windass on 76 minutes completed his hat-trick.
With 9 minutes left Marc Bridge-Wilkinson crashed in number five, and Rochdale were dead and buried. To add to the home side's woes, skipper Gary Jones was sent off after 72 minutes following a clash with Bobby Petta who was shown a yellow card.
The home side's Grant Holt was booked for dissent after 50 minutes and Lee Cartwright was shown the yellow card for handling the ball after 55 minutes. Also in the book went Owen Morrison, six minutes from the end for a foul.
Dale were rudderless after the dismissal of Jones and their defence had a particularly ragged look, being somewhat lucky to get off so lightly against so spirited an attack very ably led by veteran Windass.