Unfortunate Dale defender Gareth Griffiths gifted Mansfield the perfect Christmas present - the winning goal.
Griffiths mishit his 56th minute backpass 20 yards from goal and Colin Larkin nipped in, curling his right footed close range finish past stranded keeper Neil Edwards.
It was Larkin's fourth goal of the season and enough to clinch promotion chasing Mansfield's first home win in three games and end Dale's two-match winning run. Larkin should of wrapped up the victory nine minutes from time but this time Edwards saved from the foot of the post moments after a double point blank stop had twice denied Lee Williamson in an amazing goal mouth scramble.
The visitors almost capitalised on the keeper's heroics with what would have been a deserved equaliser. Substitute Kevin Townson broke clear down the left and crossed to the unmarked Kevin Donovan, but with the goal at his mercy the unmarked sub saw his low finish saved by the diving Kevin Pilkington.
The Stags, missing four first-team regulars, had created the first chance despite playing into the teeth of driving rain and wind. Wayne Corden broke clear on a counter attack, fed Lee Williamson whose clever pass set up Junior Mendes, only for the striker's shot to be saved.
Dale should have won a penalty in the 20th minute, but although Wayne Corden appeared to trip Leo Bertos inside the area referee Paul Robinson awarded the free kick outside the area and Bertos got up to curl it just wide.
Dale, far from overawed by Mansfield's biggest crowd of the season, dominated the opening half in terrible conditions and from one Paul Connor breakaway Andy Bishop was unlucky to see his low drive deflected for a corner.
Mansfield's best chance of the half fell to Junior Mendes but his low drive after a quick turn and run was saved by the excellent Edwards.