Ten-man Wanderers returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at Plymouth Argyle in Sky Bet League One to kick-start the Easter weekend with three points.
Despite John McAtee’s red card in the first-half, Wanderers responded after the break to ensure a winning return to his former club for Head Coach Steven Schumacher in Devon.
Johnny Kenny’s penalty saw Wanderers go in front early in the second-half before Ronan Curtis levelled for the Pilgrims.
The decisive moment at Home Park came for Wanderers on 70 minutes when Dalby met Mason Burstow’s cross to divert the ball over the line under pressure from Malachi Boateng.
Wanderers had some early defending to do, as Max Conway was forced to head away Herbie Kane’s dangerous free-kick.
The Whites threatened twice in quick succession early on, with Thierry Gale finding space to cross from the right following Dalby's pass, only for Alex Mitchell to guide the ball back to his goalkeeper, Conor Hazard, under pressure from Kenny.
Ruben Rodrigues then clipped an exquisite ball forward into the path of McAtee, but he saw his strike deflect into Hazard’s grasp.
Jack Bonham was called into action to make an important save to thwart Curtis from close-range
Towards the half-hour mark, Conway’s clearance was charged down by Kane for Owen Oseni to race onto, but Bonham was quick off his line to make a brave stop and the feet of the forward.
At the other end, Kenny’s pinpoint cross from the left was met by Gale, who was unable to turn his effort goalwards, as Wanderers pushed for an opener.
Wanderers were reduced to 10 men on 43 minutes when McAtee was sent off after he was adjudged to have elbowed Mitchell when challenging for the ball in the air.
Ahead of the second-half, Chris Forino was introduced by Schumacher in place of Gale.
Wanderers were awarded a penalty on 47 minutes after Mathias Ross’ handball following Kenny’s good work on the right.
Kenny stepped up to take the spot kick to strike the spot-kick right-footed into the bottom right-corner, sending Hazard the wrong way, to put Wanderers ahead.
However, Tom Cleverley’s hosts equalised 10 minutes later through Curtis, who was played through by Kane’s pass with the outside of his boot to arrow a first-time shot with his left-foot from the left-side of the box and into Bonham’s far corner.
Schumacher made a double change with 64 minutes played, as Cyrus Christie and Burstow replaced Rodrigues and Kenny.
With 20 minutes to play, Wanderers were back ahead through Dalby.
Burstow made an instant impact from off the bench as he found space on the right to deliver an inviting cross into the box, with Dalby bravely throwing himself at the ball under a challenge from Boateng to turn his effort over the line, which sparked jubilant celebrations.
Pushing to level, Plymouth had chances late on through Curtis' drive and Laurent Tolaj’s swiveling strike across the turf which bounced narrowly wide of Bonham’s bottom right-post.
Wanderers professionally navigated the seven minutes of additional time that followed to secure an important triumph on their travels.
Next up for the Whites is a home clash with Stockport County on Easter Monday at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Purchase your tickets by clicking here.
Wanderers: Bonham, Osei-Tutu, Toal ©, Johnston, Conway, Sheehan, Rodrigues, Gale (Forino 45), McAtee, Kenny, Dalby
Subs not used: Harrington, Apter, Cissoko, Ritchie.