Although the defeat comes on the back of some poor league form and adds to the pressure on Stuart Pearce, the Forest manager was more forgiving of his players than in recent weeks.
He felt that they had 'dominated' the game after the concession of an early penalty without being able to find the net and force a replay.
Peter Vincenti netted for Rochdale and their assistant manager Chris Beech said afterwards that his side had 'defended resolutely' to earn a place in the Fourth Round.
Defeat doesn't change Pearce's objectives for the season at the City Ground and probably does him less damage than the two convincing league defeats his side suffered over Christmas.