Devante Rodney at the double as Rochdale seal play-off spot in style

Rochdale secured a place in the National League play-offs as Devante Rodney’s brace helped them thrash Hartlepool 5-1 at Spotland.

The former Pools forward opened the scoring with a fifth-minute penalty and after Nicky Featherstone swiftly equalised, efforts from Ian Henderson and Leon Ayinde had Dale 3-1 up heading into the interval.

Rodney subsequently added his second in the 52nd minute and substitute Jay Bird completed the rout with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Jimmy McNulty’s men move up a place to fourth while Anthony Limbrick’s Hartlepool drop one to 12th.