ROCHDALE cruised into second place in the table with an at times totally one-sided demolition of their rock-bottom visitors.

Starman Ricky Lambert opened the scoring with a trademark free kick in the 14th minute which the visitors equalised almost immediately, courtesy of an Alan Connell volley.

Midway through the first half Scott Warner restored his side's lead with a 25-yard rocket.

The game ended as a competition early in the second half when Torquay defender Craig Taylor was dismissed for hand ball following which Rochdale skipper Grant Holt calmly slotted home the penalty for his sixth goal of the season.

With Dale completely in control, Lambert added his second and fifth of the season when he was on the end of a pinpoint Ernie Cooksey cross to provide the perfect finish to a flowing passing move. Tweet