Those not at Spotland on Tuesday night might be forgiven for thinking the Bees were not really up for this.

Not true. Barnet have played much worse on their travels, and they will wonder how on earth they managed to lose by three goals.

Certainly, there was not a three-goal difference between the sides. The difference was that promotion-chasing Rochdale, currently scoring for fun, were far more clinical in front of goal. The visitors arguably created more chances, but could not convert any of them.

At times, the Bees looked like they were the home side, with Dale devastating on the break.

As an attacking force, the hosts, who have been in the bottom division of the Football League longer than any other club, were a pleasure to watch. They played some superb free-flowing football, helped by some rather sloppy Barnet defending.

But the Bees gave as good as they got. Adam Birchall, who came into the game with four goals in three games, might have had a hat-trick. Most of the chances seemed to fall his way, but he was either off target or denied by keeper Tommy Lee, who had a solid game for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Jason Puncheon showed signs he is starting to regain his confidence. He was not afraid to have a dig, but, again, he was either wide or his powerful drives went straight at Lee.

Though this defeat put an end to Barnet's five-match unbeaten run, there was enough in it to suggest this was just a blip and that the Bees can still top 60 points, which would be an improvement on last season.

Those who decided against returning to Rochdale for a third time (the match was postponed twice) might have been quick to suggest that the home side wanted it more than Paul Fairclough's troops.

Certainly, three points were a necessity for promotion hopefuls Rochdale, and they fought like terriers, but the visitors matched them in terms of determination, putting in a hardworking performance that did not suggest the Bees were now just going through the motions.

Even when the game was beyond them, Barnet still went forward in search of a consolation, and were unlucky not to get one.

Dale started well, but, ironically, the Bees were in the ascendancy when the hosts struck ten minutes before the interval.

A ball into the box was flicked on by Gary Jones. Adam Le Fondre chested it down (though some suggested he used his arm) before firing past Lee Harrison from ten yards.

The hosts doubled their advantage five minutes after the break. Another fine move on the break ended with Jones picking out Rene Howe at the back post. The striker was totally unmarked and had all the time in the world to steady himself before placing a low shot past Harrison.

The points were wrapped up on 72 minutes. Another fine ball freed Howe this time and he unselfishly squared for Kallum Higginbotham to sweep the ball into an empty net, the Barnet defence again carved open by another incisive breakaway.

Still the visitors gamely fought on, but it was just one of those nights.

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.

Bookings: None.

Best Bee: Jason Puncheon.