Rochdale 3 Barnet 0

Keith Hill's young side won a thoroughly entertaining game to virtually nail a Play Off place. Make no mistake this had to be a good performance because Barnet played their full part in a game that flowed from end to end throughout and will be driving back down the M1 thinking that they have played a lot worse and won this season.

The visitors probably started the better and and after one of many good build ups Tommy Lee had to react really well to keep out an Adam Birchall header on 22 minutes.

Then on 29 minutes Adam Le Fondre produced a stunning curler from 25 yards but was denied by the outstretched finger tips of veteran keeper Lee Harrison.

The opening goal came on 33 minutes. A free kick was flighted into the box, Rene Howe won it, gary Jones knocked it on and Le Fondre pounced for a close range finish and his 16th goal of the season.

Le Fondre was again denied on 36 minutes as he got the slightest of glances to a Jones cross only for the reactions of harrison to deny him.

A one goal lead was never going to be enough and the crucial 2nd goal  arrived 4 minutes into the second half. Adam Rundle did well to find the surging Jones and his cross found Howe with all the time in the world to control and score from the edge of the six yard box.

Le Fondre was denied again on 67 minutes and Howe lashed a shot against the side netting before a picture book 3rd goal finally made the points safe. Rundle slalommed round 3 challenges and found Howe whose first time cross was met gleefully by Kallum Higginbotham.

Barnet still didn't roll over and Lee made 2 more than decent late saves to deny them a consolation. 

The gap between Dale and Chesterfield is now 8 points and with just 3 games remaining only a monumental change in fortune can now deny Dale an extension to their season. 

Teams
Dale: Lee, Ramsden, Kennedy, McArdle, Stanton, Rundle, Jones, Perkins, Higginbotham, Le Fondre, Howe.
Subs: Holness, Button, Dagnall, Muirhead, Basham 

Barnet: Harrison, Parkes, Burton, Birchall, Nicolau, Bishop ,Leary, Adomah, Puncheon, Porter, Thomas
Subs : Akurang,Carpenter, Grazioli. Carew,St Amie

Photos courtesy of Carl Flaherty will follow tomorrow