ROCHDALE remain in the relegation scrap after last night's frustrating draw with Barnet, writes MIKE ANSTEAD.

Torquay's crushing victory over Stockport saw Steve Parkin's team slip to within four points of the League Two drop zone.

Chris Dagnall's first-half strike was cancelled out by Ian Hendon's penalty in a tense battle at Spotland.

"Barnet made it difficult for us and they got the point they were after," said Parkin. "But we were disappointed we didn't create more chances."

Barnet started brightly and had the ball in the net after four minutes when Liam Hatch neatly tucked home from close range. However, the forward was adjudged to have handled Andy Hessenthaler's cross. The disallowed goal was the wake-up call sluggish Dale required and they took a 23rd-minute lead with their first real opportunity.

Ernie Cooksey crashed in a drive from the edge of the box and although Adam Gross stopped the ball on the line, Dagnall stabbed home the rebound.

The advantage lasted just four minutes. Tresor Kandol made a meal of Gareth

Griffiths' clumsy challenge inside the area and the Barnet captain Hendon lashed home the resulting spot-kick.

It was tough on Dale, who were down to ten men at the time with Mark Jackson receiving treatment for a nasty cut under the eye.

The hosts almost regained the lead when Rickie Lambert produced a moment of brilliance. The striker elegantly skipped past three defenders but his shot fizzed agonisingly wide.

There were few openings in a dour second half but Dale were lucky to finish with a point when Dean Sinclair blasted over late on with only Gilks to beat.

Parkin added: "We want to make sure we get a win at the weekend against Bristol Rovers so we can be relaxed going into the last two games of the season."