Barnsley 5 - 0 Rochdale

Barnsley ran riot in the second half as they convincingly beat 10 man Rochdale at Oakwell.

Joe Rafferty saw red for a second bookable offence just three minutes into the second half and Dale crumbled soon after as their inability to defend set pieces proved costly.

Josh Scowen netted twice from corners whilst another corner ended with Mason Holgate side footing home from close range.

A Barnsley breakaway in stoppage time caught Dale short at the back with Rhys Oates unselfishly setting up Conor Hourihane for an easy tap in with Sam Winnall heading a George Smith centre to finish the rout.

With the playoffs out of reach, Keith Hill made five changes to his starting eleven, Josh Lillis, Ashley Eastham, Joe Rafferty, Rueben Noble-Lazarus and Joel Logan were given starts.

The first half was a dour affair with a powerful George Smith shot the only moment of note for either side.

Joe Rafferty’s challenge on Josh Scowen three minutes into the second half was deemed a bookable offence by referee David Webb and having already been booked, Rafferty headed for an early bath.

Hill threw on Jamie Allen and the 10 men of Dale seemed to be in control.

Noble-Lazarus, against his former side saw his goal bound shot blocked by Ben Pearson.

Minutes later Barnsley keeper Adam Davies was bravely out at the feet of Allen when the diminutive midfielder was played in by Henderson.

Allen felt he was tripped on the edge of the area but the referee waived play on which resulted in a Barnsley corner. Scowen was left unmarked to head beyond Lillis for 1-0.

Nine minutes later and the lead was doubled when Scowen headed another corner into the net.

Dale huffed and puffed but couldn’t break through and with 14 minutes left on the clock, Barnsley netted their third from yet another corner. Central defender Mason Holgate ghosted in at the back post unmarked to slot home.

In stoppage time the result was rubber-stamped with two more goals, both from close range.

Henderson lost possession with Dale attacking allowing substitute Oates to race away down the right. As he bore down on goal, he squared the ball for Hourihane to tap home.

The final goal came deep into stoppage time, Smith’s left wing cross was easy picking for Winnall to head home from just two yards out.

It’s not how Keith Hill will have wanted to end the season against his former employers but his side secured an eighth place finish, which is Rochdale’s highest ever league finish in the club's history.

Attendance: 9,593 (656 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Tanser, Cannon (Bennett 46), Eastham, Lancashire (c), Kennedy, Rafferty, Logan (Allen 50), Noble-Lazarus (Camps 69), Vincenti, Henderson
Subs: (not used) Diba, Andrew, Rose, Bunney

Barnsley: Davies, Bree (Williams 69), Holgate, Nyatanga (c), Smith, Peasron, Hourihane, Berry (Oates 77), Scowen, Winnall, Maris (Digby 66)
Subs: (not used) Dibble, Lalkovic, Cranie, Abbott

Referee: Mr D Webb
Assistant Referee: Mr K Haycock & Mr J Tyas
Fourth official: Mr D Ford