Barnet became the latest victims of free-scoring Rochdale at Spotland this evening.

After two postponements, this game was finally played at the third attempt, but it was still a miserable journey home for the Bees.

Dale, gunning for promotion and in fine form, were good value for the win, playing some excellent attacking football, though Barnet never gave up and created numerous chances themselves.

Sadly, the visitors left their shooting boots at home.

Barnet made just one change from the side that beat Bury on Saturday, Jordan Parkes coming in at right-back for the injured Joe Devera.

Dale started the better, but failed to make much impact, despite enjoying lots of possession.

The first chance did not arrive until the 13th minute. Rene Howe was slipped through, but his shot was across the face of the goal and wide, the flag going up for offside anyway.

The Bees had to wait until the 21st minute for a shot on goal, Adam Birchall's effort on the turn going well over the bar.

Birchall had a better chance just a few minutes later. Neal Bishop flicked the ball into his path and the in-form striker headed it towards goal, forcing keeper Tommy Lee to come out and block.

At the other end, Adam Le Fondre saw Lee Harrison brilliantly turn away his shot, as the game at last started to liven up.

Birchall then tested Lee again with a low shot, which the Dale keeper was equal to, before the same player fired over, Barnet now much more in the game.

On 32 minutes, Parkes surged into the box, but his rising shot was held by Lee.

Dale had lost their way a little, but, with ten minutes of the half to go, Gary Jones flicked a ball into the box into the path of Le Fondre, who chested it down before firing past Harrison from ten yards.

It was tough on the visitors, the goal coming at a time when the Bees looked to be in the ascendancy.

Anthony Thomas drove wide from distance, as Barnet attempted to get back on track.

However, Rochdale, lifted by their goal, finished the half on the attack, though they could not double their advantage.

Within five minutes of the restart, the hosts were two up, Howe having all the time in the world to beat Harrison with a low shot after he had been found at the back post by Jones. It was a fine move and completely opened up the Barnet defence.

Jason Puncheon tested Lee with a powerful drive, but it was straight at the keeper, as the Bees looked for a way back.

Midway through the half, Harrison did well to foil Le Fondre, who had latched on to a Kallum Higginbotham first-time cross, while Bishop shot just over at the other end.

Dale's Howe then drove into the side netting.

On 72 minutes, it was three. A lovely ball put Howe through and he squared for Higginbotham to slot into an empty net. It was another superb flowing move from the hosts.

Barnet continued to push forward, Puncheon driving across goal and wide, but Dale were now having fun and looking capable of scoring again.

On 84 minutes, Puncheon hit a free-kick into the side netting, but it just was not his or the Bees' night.

That was again summed up in injury time, Birchall's shot just clearing the bar.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison; Parkes, Burton, Leary, Nicolau; Adomah, Bishop, Porter, Puncheon; Birchall, Thomas (Akurang 63). Subs not used: Carpenter (GK), Carew, St Aimie, Grazioli.

Attendance: 2,925.