ROCHDALE extended their lead at the top of League Two to four points with a superb 3-1 victory at Lincoln.

Keith Hill’s side had fallen behind in the 24th minute when a sharp counter attack from Chris Sutton’s men had carved them open with Chris Herd finishing with aplomb.

But Dale showed the resilience that title contenders require as they hauled themselves level in the 35th minute through an excellent Chris O’Grady strike.

And just before the break, Craig Dawson smashed in an unstoppable header from a Tom Kennedy corner.

Lincoln showed early signs of a fight-back in the second half, but they were ruthlessly ended in the 59th minute when Joe Thompson tapped in Chris Dagnall’s centre.

A slack home side were nearly punished again in the dying stages when O’Grady hit the crossbar with a long-range howitzer that left Rob Burch completely helpless.

Lincoln did push hard towards the end, but the visitors were always in control.

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