Rochdale 4 - 1 Southend United

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Joe Bunney completed the scoring

Rochdale produced a tremendous second half performance as they came from behind to sweep away fellow play-off hopefuls Southend United. Grant Holt slid in just before half-time to level after Southend’s Jack Payne had opened the scoring.

Dale stepped up a gear after the interval with Joe Rafferty, Jamie Allen and substitute Joe Bunney all netting for a comprehensive win which moves Dale to within two points of the top six.

With Ian Henderson suspended, Grant Holt was given the nod to start up front.

The first half was a little bit of a non-event with the exception of the two goals. Southend took the lead just short of the half hour mark when Donal McDermott’s mistake gifted Anthony Wordsworth the ball on the edge of the area. His ball into the feet of Payne allowed the diminutive striker a chance at goal which he took by lifting the ball over an on rushing Josh Lillis.

Dale drew level four minutes before the break through veteran striker Holt. Michael Rose’s delightful left wing cross was touched on by Callum Camps with Holt sliding in to slam home from close range.

Whatever Keith Hill said to his players at the break certainly worked as they dominated from the re-start.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing rattled the bar from close range after Holt's great work down the left gave him space to cross.

Joe Rafferty put Rochdale into the lead soon after with his first of the season. McDermott’s trickery again caused problems for Southend and when he sent the ball into the mix, Camps had the presence of mind to step over the ball which allowed Rafferty to curl his left footed shot into the bottom corner.

Jamie Allen extended Dale's lead just after the hour mark with a low, powerful shot that squirmed through Dan Bentley.

Hill introduced Peter Vincenti and he had an immediate impact when his piledriver shot from 25 yards was pushed around the post by Bentley.

Southend rarely threatened but when they did get a sight of goal, defender Adam Barrett fired horribly over when well placed.

Joe Bunney came off the bench to seal the Easter win when he bundled through two challenges before seeing his initial shot saved by Bentley, although the keeper couldn’t get near his follow up as he tapped into a virtually empty net to finish the rout.

Its a win that lifts Rochdale to eighth and the periphery of the top six heading into the game against Wigan at The DW Stadium on Easter Monday (1.30pm kick off).

Attendance: 3,018

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Canavan, McNulty, Rose, Allen (c), Camps (Cannon 90) McDermott (Bunney 84), Mendez-Laing (Vincenti 71), Holt
Subs: (not used) Collis, Lancashire, Barry-Murphy, Syers

Southend: Bentley, White (c)(Worrall 75), Thompson, Barrett, Coker, Wordsworth, Deegan, Kamara (McQueen 62), Hurst (Loza 62), Payne, Barnett
Subs: (not used) Weston, Atkinson, McLaughlin, O’Neill

Referee: Mr J Simpson
Assistants: Mr D Richardson and Mr D Strain
Fourth Official: Mr S Mather