It was honours even at Spotland on a mild Tuesday evening as both Rochdale and Barnet played out a 1-1 draw.
Bees manager Paul Fairclough made two changes to his starting line-up following Saturday's goalless draw with Chester. Barry Fuller, who returned to Charlton following his loan spell at Underhill came to an end, was replaced in the starting line-up by Anthony Charles, whilst Adam Gross replaced broken nose victim Simon Clist at left back.
Barnet started the game brightly and nearly took the lead after just two minutes - Nicky Bailey's powerful left footed effort tipped round a post by Matthew Gilks at full stretch.
Just a minute later and the Bees did have the ball in the back in the net but Liam Hatch's effort was ruled out for handball. It was a fine move from the Bees with Tresor Kandol's fine pass finding Andy Hessenthaler wide on the right. His first time cross found Hatch unmarked in the penalty area but sadly for Fairclough's men he was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Gary Jones then shot wide for the home side following good work on the left by Ernie Cooksey before Chris Dagnall was stopped in his stride following a fine run forward.
It was disaster moments later, though, when Daganall made no mistake with his second chance firing the ball into the back of the net in the 23rd minute when the Bees failed to clear a Ricky Lambert corner.
It looked as though Adam Gross had handballed the strikers effort on the line but perhaps luckily for the Bees left back the ball bounced into the back of the net to save Gross a certain red card.
Just five minutes later though and the Bees were awarded a penalty when Adam Gross' fine pass forward found Tresor Kandol. He turned Simon Ramsden before he was brought down in the box by Gareth Griffiths. Ian Hendon stepped forward and drove the ball hard and low to send keeper Gilks the wrong way.
Gary Jones then shot inches wide for the home side in the 35th minute before Charles had to be replaced just seconds later after he appeared to twist an ankle - Louie Soares replacing the unlucky Charles in the Bees midfield with Bailey moving into a more central role.
Bailey then shot over following good pressing by Soares and Hatch in the 41st minute before Dagnall saw his effort deflected wide.
On the stroke of half time, though, the Bees nearly found themselves going into the interval a goal behind when a fine run on the Bees left by Ricky Lampert saw the tall striker go past challenges of Gross, King and Soares before shooting inches wide.
Rochdale began the second half the brighter of the two sides and Dagnall had a good chance to get his and Dale's second of the game in the 50th minute but he volleyed over from 12 yards following fine wine play by Ricky Lambert.
Paul Warhurst then headed over for the Bees four minutes later from a Bailey free kick before Dagnall's effort from ten yards was held by Flitney.
Barnet were continuing to pass the ball nicely, with Hatch proving to be a constant menace in the air and the Bees strikers presence forced Griffiths into a mistake but Hatch's effort from 25 yards drifted wide.
Cooksey then saw his 20 yard strike in the 62nd minute well held by Flitney before Kandol's weak header just two minutes later following a fine Hatch cross from the left lacked power and was easily held by Gilks in the Silkmen goal.
Both sides continued to play some nice football but both the Bees and the Silkmen were finding it increasingly difficult to break down two tight defences.
Gary Jones saw his fine 25 yard effort held by Flitney twelve minutes from time - the Bees custodian doing well to hold onto the ball as it took a vicious bounce in front of him.
Hatch then looked as though he was in on goal six minutes from time following a fine Hendon pass but at the vital moment the Bees striker stumbled under pressure from Griffths and missed his kicked when about to strike for goal.
Two minutes later and the Bees had another glorious chance to win the game when this time a Hatch flick on found the on-rushing Sinclair but from 12 yards out the Bees midfielder could only direct his powerful right footed shot over the crossbar.
Then two minutes from time the same two players combined once more but keeper Gilks rushed of his line quickly to block Sinclairs effort.
Straight down the other end and Lambert saw his effort held by Flitney as both sides looked to win the game in the final minutes. However, neither side could get the winning goal and both teams had to settle for the draw.
Away attendance: 143
Jonathan Sugar
