ADAM Le Fondre’s hat-trick earned Rochdale a second round FA Cup tie against Forest Green after a thrilling 3-2 win over Barnet.

The game ended 2-2 in normal time, Dale having recovered from a torrid opening 45 minutes with a much-improved display after the interval.

Manager Keith Hill made five alterations to his starting line-up and the hosts struggled to get to grips with the changes in the first period, Barnet taking full advantage without having to work too hard for their goals.

The Londoners drew first blood 10 minutes in.

A long punt upfield from Max Porter bounced over the head of Rory McArdle and into the path of John O’Flynn.

The striker raced into the penalty area and slipped the ball wide of Sam Russell in the Dale goal.

The visitors doubled their advantage on 20 minutes when Dale skipper Gary Jones sent a poorly judged back pass towards Russell only to see Albert Adamoah intercept the ball, round the goalkeeper and slide it into the empty net.

Mark Jones was replaced at the break by striker Lee Thorpe as Hill looked to rescue the tie by going with three men up front.

It provided the kind of up-tempo start to the second period Dale needed and they came close when McArdle’s header was cleared off the line by Michael Townsend.

Dale’s improvement brought about the desired effect when they reduced the deficit in the 55th minute, Kennedy’s low cross towards the back post met by Le Fondre, the striker slamming home from close range.

Le Fondre’s probing pass set up Kennedy 10 yards from goal but his rising shot was pushed away by Lee Harrison as the home side pushed for an equaliser, Thorpe heading the loose ball into the side-netting.

Another Le Fondre shot was heading towards the roof of the net but cannoned wide off Thorpe but the busy frontman finally drew Dale level in the 73rd minute.

He combined on the edge of the area with Gary Jones and rifled a low drive past Harrison from 10 yards.

Gary Jones and Le Fondre came close to clinching it late on while O’Flynn saw a shot blocked on its way to goal by McArdle.

Le Fondre completed his hat-trick with an exquisite chip over Harrison’s head from an acute angle.

RATINGS
ROCHDALE: Russell 6, Wiseman 6, Kennedy 6, Stanton 6, McArdle 6, Buckley 7, G Jones 6, Keltie 6, M Jones 5 (Thorpe 46 6), Shaw 6 (Thompson 69 6), Le Fondre 9 (Rundle 105). Subs: Holness, Spencer, Ramsden. Att: 2,339