Dale were deserved 3-0 winners over Barnsley at Spotland on Saturday following a dominant display.
Calvin Andrew gave Dale an early lead with a well hit drive which was too strong for the goalkeeper.
Peter Vincenti made it two with a simple header from close range before the break, before Ian Henderson completed the scoring with a deft finish just after the hour mark.
Keith Hill made two changes to the side that was narrowly beaten by Hull City in midweek. Oliver Lancashire returned from injury to replace Ashley Eastham, and Donal McDermott came in for Reuben Noble-Lazarus.
Dale were the better team in the opening stages, and capitalised with the opening goal in the eighth minute. McDermott’s attempted flick through was blocked, but only straight into the path of Andrew. He struck a first time left foot shot with venom, which Adam Davies could only turn into the roof of the net.
The perfect start for Dale and one which seemed spur them on even more. The front four of McDermott, Ian Henderson, Vincenti and Andrew were all causing the Barnsley defence problems, whilst the defence were comfortable with Joe Rafferty making the defensive midfield role his own.
Henderson and McDermott saw efforts from outside the area go past the wrong the side of the post, whilst Jamie Allen’s quick turn and shot was safely held by Davies.
Barnsley’s only real chance of the half came from Kadeem Harris. He cut inside Tom Kennedy on the right, but sent a curling effort just over the crossbar.
It was a miss they would regret, as Dale doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time from a corner. McDermott’s ball in deceived goalkeeper Davies, allowing Vincenti to head the ball home with ease from inside the six yard box.
A double substitution from Lee Johnson at the break threatened to get his side a foothold in the game, but after not seeing much of the ball in the first five minutes, Dale managed to carve out some promising chances.
McDermott was at the heart of them all as he continued his blistering start to the season. He found Henderson with a great through ball, whose low cross was cleared behind.
Dale’s summer signing then had a shot saved after a corner was poorly cleared, before Andrew’s effort was deflected over. Andy Cannon then forced a save with an ambitious effort from 25 yards.
McDermott continued to cause the Barnsley defence problems, and cleverly found space in the centre of the park before playing in Vincenti on the right. His low ball in just fell short of Andrew who had the ball nicked off his toes and out for another corner, from which Vincenti’s header was held by Davies.
Dale were well on top and made their dominance count with a fully deserved third goal in the 63rd minute. Allen did superb to win the ball back in the Barnsley half, before playing a superb through ball to Henderson. He took a touch before dinking the ball over the onrushing Davies, seeing the ball bounce in off the inside of the post.
Dominant Dale could have added a fourth midway through the second half, when Andrew was denied his second goal of the game. Henderson was sent free down the left and he found Andrew with a perfect ball across, but the Dale striker sent his effort into the midriff of Davies.
The visitors were keen to show they were still in the game though, with Ben Pearson forcing Lillis into a good save low to his left. Connor Hourihane then sent an effort from distance well over.
Joe Bunney and Reuben Noble-Lazarus replaced Vincenti and McDermott as Keith Hill tried to close the game out.
They did so successfully as the remaining minutes passed comfortably for the home side, resulting in a fully deserved 3-0 victory.
For the first time this season there is no Tuesday fixture for Dale, so it is a trip to Fleetwood up next as Dale look to continue their excellent start to the season.
Dale: Lillis, Cannon, Lancashire, McNulty, Kennedy, Rafferty, Allen, Henderson, McDermott (Noble-Lazarus 84), Vincenti (Bunney 75), Andrew.
Subs: Collis, Eastham, Alessandra, Rose, Camps.
Barnsley: Davies, Wabara, Roberts, Nyatanga (Smith 66), Mawson, Harris, Pearson, Rothwell (Crowley 46), Hourihane, Wilkinson (Winnall 46), Watkins.
Unused Subs: Walton, Scowden, Maris, Digby.