Rochdale consolidated their position in the play-offs with a clinical display against a battling Barnet side.

Barnet had the early chances with Adam Birchall's diving header cleared off the line by Nathan Stanton and keeper Tommy Lee twice called into action.

But the hosts took the lead through Adam Le Fondre's six-yard strike and doubled the advantage when Gary Jones found Rene Howe, who beat Lee Harrison.

Kallum Higginbotham's tap-in made it three after unselfish work from Howe.

Rochdale: Lee, Ramsden (Holness 29), Stanton, McArdle, Kennedy, Higginbotham, Jones, Perkins (Basham 82), Rundle, Le Fondre (Dagnall 75), Howe.
Subs Not Used: Button, Muirhead.

Goals: Le Fondre 34, Howe 50, Higginbotham 72.

Barnet: Harrison, Parkes, Leary, Burton, Nicolau, Adomah, Porter, Bishop, Puncheon, Birchall, Thomas (Akurang 64).

Subs Not Used: Carpenter, St Aimie, Grazioli, Carew.

Booked: Burton.

Att: 2,925

Ref: Andy Hall (W Midlands).

Rochdale took another step towards a play-off finish with a 3-0 win over Barnet at Spotland. While the scoreline was slightly flattering towards Keith Hill's men, their sharpness in front of goal was superior to that of the visitors. The home team dominated in terms of possession during the first half-hour of the game, though Barnet had enjoyed the better chances up to that point. Adam Birchall's diving header was cleared off the line by Nathan Stanton and the Bees striker twice forced saves from Tommy Lee. The hosts were clinical with their first genuine chance of the night, Adam Le Fondre poking home from six yards after Gary Jones won a high ball in the Barnet box. Rochdale's second came four minutes into the second half. Jones was again provider, collecting Adam Rundle's pass and playing the ball across the face of goal for Rene Howe, who showed great composure in beating Lee Harrison from close range. Kallum Higginbotham made the result safe with a third goal in the 72nd minute tapping home after unselfish work from Howe.