Oxford United 1 - 0 Rochdale

Rochdale are still without a league win this season after another late goal sent them down to defeat at Oxford. Liam Sercombe’s simple tap in with two minutes left on the clock condemned Rochdale to defeat and sent them bottom of the division.

The first half was one of little clear cut opportunities with both sides creating half chances.

Andy Cannon fired well over whilst stretching to reach a Nat Mendez-Laing centre.

At the other end a scuffed shot from Chris Maguire found Kane Hemmings; the striker foiled by Dale keeper Conrad Logan who was out quickly to smother the danger.

The closest Dale came in the first half was when Eastwood did well to push away a Mendez-Laing shot from 20 yards.

Rochdale controlled large parts of the first half with Oxford relying on their counter attack to try and earn any breakthrough. One such attack saw Logan bravely out at the feet of Wes Thomas as the big keeper denied the striker.

A quick breakaway of Dale's saw Ian Henderson with space to pick out Cannon, but his effort was just wide.

Oxford made a change at half-time and brought on their new signing Marvin Johnson, and the game swung in their favour.

Johnson made a nuisance of himself down the left before feeding Thomas, but again Logan made the block.

The next 25 minutes passed with barely any incident.

Maguire’s long range freekick brought about a regulation save from Logan in the Dale goal as the game stepped up a gear in the final 20 minutes.

A Dale corner saw Harrison McGahey flick towards the back post with his central defensive partner Niall Canavan coming in at the back post but his shot crashed back off the crossbar.

There was a controversial moment when Dale thought they should have had a penalty. Substitute Peter Vincenti got the better of Phil Edwards inside the area. The former Rochdale defender then hauled down Vincenti but referee Brendan Malone opted to give a free kick against the Dale man, a decision that incensed Keith Hill when he spoke after the game.

Vincenti, featuring for the first time this season due to injury, was causing problems for Oxford and he went agonisingly close in the 87th minute. An intelligent ball from Henderson picked out Vincenti but with the keeper bearing down on him, he poked the ball just the wrong side of the post.

That miss was to prove crucial as Oxford’s next attack brought about the only goal of the game. Johnson’s pace caused problems for Rafferty and when the ball was played into the centre, it bobbled its way through to Sercombe who had the easy task of slotting into the net from close range.

It was cruel on Dale who deserved something from the game but left with nothing as the lapse in concentration at the end cost them dear.

Rochdale: Logan, Rafferty, McGahey, Canavan, McNulty, Allen, Cannon (McDermott 67), Henderson (c), Mendez-Laing, Odelusi (Bunney 70), Davies (Vincenti 76).
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Tanser, Keane, Morley

Oxford: Eastwood, Skarz, Raglan, Dunkley, Edwards, Hemmings (Taylor 46), Lundstram (c), Sercombe, Rothwell (MacDonald 85), Thomas (Johnson 69), McGuire.
Subs: (not used) Brown, Crowley,Ruffels, Long

Referee: Mr B Malone
Assistants: Mr J Clarke and Mr I Smedley
Fourth Official: Mr M Foley

Attendance: 6,939 (232 from Rochdale)