The Pilgrims found themselves trailing 2-0 at half-time courtesy of Devante Rodney's well-taken brace after 15 and 40 minutes.

After Connor McBride and Jake Burger had both rattled the crossbar for the visitors in the second half, substitute Ian Henderson added Dale's third in stoppage time to compound a miserable afternoon for the newly-promoted Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims, with six players included for their debuts within the starting XI, actually started brightly and took the match to their opponents.

However, the visitors took a 15th minute lead when RODNEY survived a tight offside call to steer Harvey Gilmour's throughball past an exposed Cameron Gregory.

Rochdale keeper Luke McNicholas fielded a half chance for Dan Mooney in reply - but RODNEY added Rochdale's second goal five minutes before the break after Ethan Ebanks-Landell had kept a set-piece alive for the visitors.

Zak Mills saw a drive repelled at the end of the half, while Frankie Maguire's follow-up flashed narrowly wide.

Rochdale went close to a third goal 10 minutes after the break, with Gregory touching McBride's effort on to the crossbar.

Burger headed into the side-netting and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling teed up Kairo Mitchell for a golden chance, which he could only steer wide.

Five United substitutes were introduced for the first time in a league fixture - but it was Rochdale who added a third when Burger's drive crashed back off the crossbar and HENDERSON stooped to head home at the back post.

Boston (3-4-3): Cameron Gregory; Zak Mills, Michael Bostwick, Mitch Roberts; Jai Rowe, Jordan Richards (Dylan Hill 84), Frankie Maguire (Martin Woods 69), Cameron Green; Dan Mooney (Keaton Ward 84), Pemi Aderoju (Jacob Hazel 69), Tony Weston (Sam Osborne 78). Subs (not used): Tom Leak, Adam Marriott.

Rochdale (3-5-2): Luke McNicholas; Kyron Gordon, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Sam Beckwith; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling (Ody Alfą 90), Harvey Gilmour, Aaron Henry (Ryan East 70), Connor McBride (Jake Burger 64), Tarryn Allarakhia (Finlay Armstrong 83); Devante Rodney (Ian Henderson 89), Kairo Mitchell. Subs (not used): Kyle Ferguson, Bradley Kelly (gk).

Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle.

Attendance: 2,578 (380 visitors).

PIC: Russell Dossett.