THE irony was probably not lost on the dejected home supporters making their way home through a gloomy night in north Wales.

A feature in Wrexhamés matchday programme headlined éShow me the moneyé suggested that, without the departed Rickie Lambert, Rochdale were toothless in attack: "Thereés no show without Punch," said the article, "and Rochdale might find thereés no punch without Lambert."

Few Dale supporters would have argued with that sentiment three weeks ago é before Chris Dagnall came out of his corner fighting.

Dale manager Steve Parkin kept faith with the Liverpudlian striker even when his contribution to games was less than razor sharp. By Parkinés own admission, Dagnall was guilty of allowing games to pass him by and if he has not 100 per cent switched on his contribution was limited. However, since the departure of Lambert and Iyseden Christie he has revelled in a new-found sense of responsibility and, most importantly, added goals to his tireless work-rate.

On Wednesday night he delivered a stunning one-two combination to floor the Dragons just days after his Boston brace paved the way to victory at York Street. With a goal against Accrington Stanley last month, Dagnall has accrued a healthy rate of a goal every other game from his 10 starts thus far.

Dale dominated from the off, were by far the stronger team throughout and deserved the three points.

They settled into their stride with relative ease, the Racecourse buzzing with impatience from supporters still reeling from recent heavy defeats at Accrington and Stockport. John Doolan was unfortunate to have a couple of slide-rule passes cut out by the Wrexham defence as he looked to feed Dagnall and Barker, but just as Dale looked on the verge of taking the lead, Wrexham edged in front.

The goal came about through a poor piece of collective defending from a Dale defence so previously impressive this season. When the visitors failed to clear a high ball to the edge of the area, Gary Brown suddenly found himself exposed at the far post as Chris Llewellyn collected the flick on. He had two players arriving from deep but opted to turn and shoot through Matt Gilksé legs.

Rather than settle the home teamés nerves, the goal simply bolstered Daleés determination and there was a great sense of belief about their play even though they had to wait for the breakthrough.

Barker should have done better in the 14th minute when Lee Crooksé floated a quickly-taken freekick over the Wrexham defence and into the strikerés path. However, just six yards from goal he produced a weak header into Mike Inghamés arms.

Ingham was called upon again when Morike Sako drove a vicious cross towards Dagnall, lurking at the near post while Matt Crowell almost headed into his own net from Crooksé cross just before the break.

In terms of possession Rochdale had dominated the first half, but without asking serious questions of Ingham such statistics were futile. Gary Jones took that on board as the second half kicked off and grabbed the initiative two minutes in. He won the ball in a central position before driving into the Wrexham penalty area. From a position on the right-hand edge of the area he took advantage of Lee Roacheés slip to hit a square ball into the path of Dagnall who in turn passed the ball into the corner of the net, the mark of a striker high in confidence.

Wrexhamés attempts to lift their performance was frustrated by the back four, Brown enjoying a fine second half and taking his lead from the superb Stanton. Nevertheless, Darren Ferguson briefly lifted home spirits with a shot which bounced awkwardly in front of Gilks.

Rochdale wrestled possession back time and time again, far too easily for the home crowdés liking, and they were quickly on the Dragonsé backs again as Parkinés men continued to pose the greater threat. In the 66th minute their fears were realised when Alan Goodallés surging run and shot from 20 yards was parried by Ingham into the path of Dagnall, the striker keeping a cool head to lift the ball over the grounded keeper into the net for his and Daleés second.

Wrexham showed little in the way of resistance, the closest they cam to an equaliser arriving in the 89th minute when Steve Evans headed a freekick across the face of goal and substitute Jon Newby, at full stretch, was unable to capitalise, heading wide from close range.

By that stage Dagnall had come close to grabbing his first hat-trick, Doolan racing 40 yards up field before playing in the striker who fired first time from just inside the box, Ingham saving.

Another fine display and, the concession of a weak goal beside, every department played their part.

The one disappointing aspect to the win was Barkerés petulant reaction to being substituted in the 71st minute, refusing the managerés shake of the hand as he stomped towards the bench.

Hopefully the incident was borne out of frustration é his last two games have not been his best for the club é and he will realise the error of his ways sooner rather than later. If he needs an example of how to turn things round in a positive manner, he need look no further than messrs Dagnall and Doolan.

Teams

Wrexham: Ingham, Roache, Valentine, Evans, Jones, D Williams, Ferguson, Llewellyn, Crowell (M Williams 84), Done (Johnson 63), McAliskey (Newby 85).

Dale: Gilks, Brown, Stanton, Sharp, Goodall, Doolan (Cooksey 91), Crooks, Jones, Sako, Dagnall, Barker (Moyo-Modise 71). Man of the match: Nathan Stanton from John Doolan and Chris Dagnall.

Attendance: 3,577.

Referee: Steve Bratt (West Midlands).

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