Jake Beesley’s brace earned Rochdale all three points against Barrow at Holker Street on Saturday.
There was serious doubt that the game would be played after torrential downpours in Cumbria but the referee allowed the game to kick off 30 minutes late.
The Dale number nine scored either side of Ollie Banks’ equaliser to earn Robbie Stockdale’s their second successive win, while the hosts are now winless in five.
The away side started the stronger and threatened an opener when Jimmy Keohane jinked his way into the area before seeing a left-footed shot saved by Paul Farman in the Barrow goal.
However, the 32-year-old shot-stopper didn’t cover himself in glory for the opening goal on 28 minutes, as Beesley fired under the ‘keeper after being found by Eoghan O’Connell’s long ball.
The hosts came out strongly in the second half and were rewarded when Josh Gordon was felled by a clumsy Corey O’Keeffe challenge in the penalty area.
Joel Coleman saved Banks’ initial effort but the midfielder was on hand to nod in the rebound to make it 1-1 with 56 minutes gone.
Mark Cooper’s side were on top but creating little and Dale took advantage of a breakaway on 72 minutes, with Liam Kelly’s cutback perfect for Beesley to tap home his sixth of the season.
Stockdale’s men were then able to see the game out fairly comfortably and earned the three points to take them above Barrow to 13th in League Two.
