Midfielder Leo Bertos stunned promotion chasing Huddersfield with a great first half opener but it was not enough to end the visitors winless run.
Kiwi Bertos, 22, latched onto on-loan Man City winger Willo Flood's pass from the right to drill a low 20 yard shot through a crowd of legs past keeper Paul Rachubka.
Relegation haunted Rochdale have now gone six games without a win but they produced a disciplined performance that frustrated a Town side looking to cement their place in the Third Division's top three.
And things could be looking up for Rochdale as Flood, watched by boss Kevin Keegan on his debut for the visitors, turned in a terrific display that often had Town's Tony Carss tied in knots.
Flood beat Carss time after time and raced past him on 39 minutes to set up Bertos' goal after a controlling a fine cross-field punt from Gary Jones.
It was just one of several interesting duals in a hard fought roses derby between the two clubs.
Rochdale striker Grant Holt had a game-long tussle with former world cup star Efetobore Sodje and the pair were both lucky not to be sent off in the closing stages after clashing off the ball.
By then Huddersfield had dragged themselves level through youngster Anthony Lloyd's second goal of the season and the visitors also survived two goalmouth scrambles as they clung on for a point.
Anthony Lloyd's leveller on 49 minutes was created by Andy Booth - whose diverted run to the near post occupied Rochdale's defence and created room for Anthony Lloyd to glance in Andy Holdsworth's right-wing cross.
New signing Pawel Abbott, signed yesterday from Preston for £125,000 after scoring four goals in six games during a loan spell, could of won it on 64 minutes but his rising drive after a jinxing run into the box slammed into the side netting.