Those present at this game came away wondering just how on earth we never came away with all three points, nevermind one. Dale dominated throughout, and should have won the game comfortably. The problem being that we never took the chances that we had, and if we had, we would have been victorious with a cricket score. Nevertheless, if we play like we did today in every game between now and the end of the season, we will be promoted with ease.

The build up began in a local pub, with the people being pressganged into joining the new Southern Supporters Club. It seemed people had come from all over to cheer the Dale on, and there was not a Barnet fan to be seen in the pub. There was another good turnout by the Dale supporters with another 4-500 fans being the journey south. People are returning to see the new improved Rochdale, which is a massive compliment to the way Steve Parkin has changed things round.

The game began with both teams slightly nervous of each other, as you would expect from a top of the table clash. Dale seemed more up for it than their London counterparts, and it was not long before the passing game was back in full effect. Barnet looked limited in their approach, as their moves seemed to revolve through Sporty Spice lookalike Darren Currie crossing the ball into the middle. To be fair, he is an excellent crosser of the ball, and this was very effective, and it was from this that Barnet's goal came. Currie was on the edge of the pitch, and didn't look to be in a dangerous position. However, he put in a cross to the near post. Both Hill and veteran striker Charlery were challenging. Hill appeared to slip slightly, the gangly striker the easiest of tap ins to put the home side one up to the chants of "Where's your record gone?" from the Barnet fans. At least it shows, this season's efforts are being picked up on throughout the country.

After this though, it was almost one way traffic to the final whistle. Currie had one more chance, which brought an easy save from Edwards. Dale had several chances in the first half, but none of them were easy and they failed to trouble the highly rated Harrison in the Bee's net. Atkinson had a header which crept wide, Flitcroft had a similar challenge go wide of the other post, and Holt had a long range effort reminiscent of Andy Flounder's against Lincoln years ago, which narrowily missed.

The second half, with Dale attacking down the hill, saw Dale camp out in the Barnet half, similar to the way we did recently against Halifax. The outcome was the same too. Dale had chance after chance but on too many times failed to force a save out of the highly rated Barnet keeper Lee Harrison. The Dale approach play was excellent, and should have been rewarded with several goals, but for poor finishing by Dale and some excellent last gasp tackles by the home defence. Holt looked the most dangerous of the Dale strikers, and worked tirelessly throughout. He had a great effort when he broke free, but as he switched the ball to his favoured left foot, it allowed a defender to hurl himself in front of his shot.

Holt caused them all sorts of problems. He set Platt up with a simple chance when he laid the ball back to him from inside the six yard box, but Platt's effort went straight at the home keeper.

The half continued with chance after chance for Dale, and you always got the feeling that if we could get one goal then a second would follow almost immediately. But as it happened, we couldn't get the first, nevermind the second.

Flitcroft had an early chance which went just wide, and he also had a gift with time running out, a crossed ball ran over his foot. Any sort of contact would have put the ball into the back of the net.

Dowe was introduced for Holt, as Dale went more direct in their approach, but this brought no change to the scoreline. It really was not meant to be. Currie was sent off in the last few minutes for an elbow on Richard Green. The ref had no doubts in sending him off. The referee was Walton who plagued Dale last season. He had another stinker, with a performance full of inconsistencies, and he often got in the way. One occasion spoilt a very promising first half attack for Dale. At least he never sent Mono off again.

Dale's biggest problem seemed to be not getting enough players into the box at the crucial time. Holt, Atkinson and Carden all put in fantastic work getting to the bye line and crossing the ball, only to find insufficient attackers waiting for the cross. Carden was excellent and is finally adapting well to his adopted winger role. If he continues in this vein, Tony Ford may struggle to reach his 1000th appearance.

The final whistle brought an ovation from the Dale fans who were filled with disappointment at a missed three points. We looked a far better team than Barnet, but we could not take out chances.

Dale: Edwards, Evans, Searle, Hill, Green, Ford (Carden), Flitcroft, Peake, Atkinson, Holt (Dowe), PLatt
man of the match: Michael Holt. He is out of form at the moment and is lacking a bit of confidence. He never stopped running, and should have been rewarded for his efforts with a goal or two. When he gets a bit of form, he won't stop scoring. 

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