The hosts took the lead early on and doubled that shortly before the break as they continued their 100% home record.
Dale responded well and after Ian Henderson had pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining, Jimmy McNulty’s men came close to an equaliser on a number of occasions, but couldn’t find a second.
The Head Coach made one change to the starting line-up from Tuesday’s win over FC Halifax Town, with Aidan Barlow replacing Ian Henderson. Second-year scholar Isaac Burgess replaced Kyle Ferguson among the subs.
Dale had the first opportunity of the game when Barlow latches on to Sam Beckwith’s ball down the left channel, but his shot after coming inside was held by Bees goalkeeper Nick Hayes.
The hosts took the lead in the 7th minute when Jake Burger was dispossessed having received a pass from David Robson. The ball fell for Nicke Kabamba, who slotted into the empty net.
Ryan Glover and Ben Coker had efforts from distance off-target before Robson made a good save from Myles Kenlock’s strike. Barnet kept that move alive and crossed for Kabamba, who nodded one off the outside of the post.
The goalscorer then slices a volley narrowly wide, whilst at the other end, Kairo Mitchell’s poke goalwards was well blocked after being found by Jili Buyabu.
Four minutes before the break, Dale’s challenge hardened, when Coker cut inside and curled a right-footed effort into the far bottom corner.
Dale did end the half strongly, with Mitchell seeing an effort deflected over from a Tarryn Allarakhia cross.
From the resulting corner, Liam Hogan had a header cleared off the line, before a ball back into the box was turned onto the post and somehow skewed over the bar by a defender.
The final chance of the first half also fell Dale’s way when Beckwith got a touch on Barlow’s free-kick into the area, but turned it narrowly wide.
Dale picked up where they left off after the break, with Allarakhia testing Hayes early on in the second period.
Barnet substitute Callum Stead hit a shot off target and had another saved by Robson, whilst Buyabu and Ryan East both saw shots blocked at the other end.
Henderson was introduced in the 65th minute and within five minutes he had pulled a goal back for Dale, stealing in on a weak back pass before clipping the ball beyond the Barnet stopper.
From then on, it was all Dale. Allarakhia curled an effort inches wide of the far post after being found by Mitchell.
Henderson then found Allarakhia who sliced an effort over the bar, before the two linked up again moments later, with the Tanzania curling one off the face of the post.
Courtney Senior, on as a substitute, then struck the opposite post a minute later, seeing the ball come off the outside of the upright after a good Dale break down the right.
It would prove to be the final chance for Dale, who will feel unlucky not to have taken something.
Dale XI | Robson, Gordon ©, East, Allarakhia, Mitchell, Barlow (65’ Henderson), Burger (46’ Henry), McBride (85’ Senior), Hogan, Buyabu, Beckwith.
Unused subs | Kelly, Armstrong, Alfa, Burgess.
