Rochdale 0 - 3 Southend United

Rochdale v Southend United

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It was a case of deja vu for Rochdale as they went down to a 3-0 defeat for the second time in a week. Matt Done was caught in possession with the visitors punishing Dale in the 11th minute. Ian Henderson rattled the woodwork before leading scorer Scott Hogan went off injured with what looked a serious ankle injury. Southend doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with a breakaway goal after a Dale corner. The points were wrapped up 20 seconds into the second half when Phil Brown's men waltzed through a static home defence to net their third.

The home faithful arrived at Spotland knowing a win could virtually secure promotion heading into the last three games and were boosted by the news that defender Jack O’Connell started after a few weeks out with a back injury. The Dale boss also gave starts to Michael Rose and Joe Bunney; Jamie Allen and Peter Vincenti dropped to the bench.

Rochdale started the game brightly and forced the chance when O’Connell’s perfectly weighted ball over the top found Bunney but the youngster screwed his shot wide.

There was a sense of nervousness around Spotland and that showed when Done was dispossessed outside the area by Jacob Murphy. The winger raced at goal before teeing up Barry Corr for an easy tap in.

Dale responded well to the set back but couldn’t force a leveller. A swift counter attacking move involving Bunney, Lund and Hogan set Done away but his shot was tipped wide of goal.

Henderson’s vicious 22 yard shot had the beating of Bentley but not the frame of his goal as the ball hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced clear.

Tenacious play by Henderson dispossessed Egan but when the loose ball fell on the edge of the area, Hogan and Lund got in each other's way as the latter shot horribly over.

Nerves were again on show when Lancashire’s short back pass to Lillis was intercepted by Timlin who rounded the Dale keeper but O’Connell got back on the line to clear the danger.

With seconds left of normal time in the first half, Southend doubled their lead. A Dale corner was cleared with Leonard racing clear of Rose on the halfway line, his shot was off target but it fell for Murphy to slot home.

The second goal on the stroke of half time was a body blow for Dale and one they didn’t recover from. The Dale boss threw on Allen and Vincenti for the second half, Cavanagh and Rose making way, but things got worse 22 seconds after the re-start. Southend kicked off and Leonard lifted a ball forward for Corr to head onto Kevan Hurst. Hurst had the time to cross and Timlin was on hand to volley home from close range.

Dale thought they had got a goal back on 64 minutes. Rafferty’s cross looked destined for the back of the net but Bunney was adjudged to be in an offside position as headed home and the flag cut short the celebrations.

Hill’s men huffed and puffed for the last 30 minutes but never tested Bentley whilst at the other end Leonard’s dipping shot crashed back off the woodwork.

Results elsewhere have seen Dale’s lead over fourth spot drop to three points whilst the teams above could only draw. A win on Easter Monday would settle the nerves but the promotion places are likely to go down to the wire before they are settled.

Attendance: 3,884

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire, O’Connell, Done, Cavavangh (c)(Allen 46), Rose (Vincenti 46), Lund, Henderson, Bunney, Hogan (Donnelly 29)
Subs: (Not used) Thomson, Eastham, Bennett, Hery

Southend: Bentley, White (c), Coker, Egan, Sokolik, Leonard, Atkinson, Timlin, Corr (Prosser 84), Hurst (Straker 66), Murphy (Loza 73)
Subs: (not used) Chambers, Laird, Eastwood, Barnard

Referee: Mr J Simpson
Assistant Referees: Mr I Dudley & Mr D Meeson
Fourth Official: Mr R Joyce