Two second-half penalties from Adam Le Fondre helped Rochdale to a 3-0 victory over fellow promotion-hopefuls Bradford at Spotland.

Dale ease past promotion rivals

Two second-half penalties from Adam Le Fondre helped Rochdale to a 3-0 victory over fellow promotion-hopefuls Bradford at Spotland. Rochdale started the game positively with Mark Jones, Lee Thorpe, Rory McArdle and Le Fondre all going close in the opening 15 minutes. Peter Thorne was twice denied by Rochdale goalkeeper Frank Fielding when clean through on goal, the on-loan Blackburn stopper pulling off two good saves to deny the Bantams' hitman. Fielding made another fine stop to keep out Graeme Lee's thumping header just after the break and soon after Rochdale took the lead as Jones' free-kick was headed home by McArdle. The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute when Barry Conlon handled Joe Thompson's flick-on in the area, Le Fondre rifling home the spot-kick. Referee Scott Mathieson pointed to the spot again in the 73rd minute when Matthew Clarke felled Le Fondre and the striker duly picked himself up to grab his second goal of the night.