Rochdale striker Bobby Grant's 25-yard effort gave the hosts a 38th-minute lead and Ashley Grimes doubled the lead from similar distance just before the break.
Phil Edwards' own goal three minutes into the second half brought the visitors back into the contest - but Grimes (67) and Dele Adebola (69) rounded off an emphatic success.
Southend consolidated their place in the play-off positions with a 3-0 win over Chesterfield, with goals from Ryan Cresswell (51) and Gavin Tomlin (61 and 69).
Barnet started Friday night bottom of the table but Ricky Holmes' hat-trick set up a 3-2 win over Burton which lifts them out of the relegation places.
Billy Kee's 16th-minute penalty gave Burton the lead but Holmes equalised three minutes before half-time and wrapped up his treble with a 53rd-minute penalty and a low shot in the 66th minute.
Jacques Maghoma struck from the spot for the Brewers in added-on time but Barnet held on to claim all three points.
