The return fixture at Spotland was an altogether more competitive affair, with Cheltenham battling hard against a fluent Rochdale side to earn a precious point.
Rochdale were awarded a first-half penalty after Cheltenham's on-loan winger Jason Brissett picked the ball up in the area after he thought he had heard the referee's whistle blow.
Luckily for Cheltenham, Steve Book was in the process of establishing himself of something of a penalty-saving expert. This time he denied Tony Ellis with a fine save and the game remained goalless.
One year on and Rochdale came away from Whaddon Road with another 2-0 win after a goal in each half for defender Mark Monington, in what Parkin described as one of his side's best performances of the season.
The clubs clashed again in March 2001 and were both pushing for a place in the play-offs. A Neil Grayson strike put Cheltenham ahead after 12 minutes and Cheltenham looked to be heading for a vital win, but Paul Connor hit an equaliser after a mistake from Book.
After both narrowly missing out on play-off berths, Cheltenham and Rochdale met again in the 2001/02 season. In what was undoubtedly the best match between the two sides so far, Cheltenham earned another point at Spotland against a Rochdale side riding high on top of the table.
Jamie Victory gave the Robins an early lead before Paul Wheatcroft and Kevin Townson netted for Dale to put them ahead in the second half. Victory headed home a Russell Milton corner to hit his second and claim a 2-2 draw in the dying moments.
With both sides neck and neck at the right end of the table, the match at Whaddon Road was another promotion six-pointer. Lee Williams swept home his second Cheltenham goal to give his side the lead after three minutes.
Clive Platt headed home Kieran Durkan's 53rd minute cross to earn a point for John Hollins' team and keep their promotion hopes alive.
Both sides made the play-offs, but Rochdale lost out in the semi-finals to Rushden & Diamonds over two legs, while Cheltenham were victorious at the Millennium Stadium against Rochdale's conquerors, beating Rushden 3-1.
Last season saw Rochdale keep up their superb record at Whaddon Road with their third 2-0 win in four visits. There was a fourth consecutive stalemate at Spotland (0-0), but Cheltenham finally recorded their first win over Dale earlier this season. Goals from John Melligan and John Finnigan gave Cheltenham a 2-1 away victory.
Overall Record:
P W D L F-A
9 1 5 3 6-11