Rochdale 0 - 1 Southend

Date published: 22 October 2024

Dale suffered their first defeat in five games with Southend United edging the contest at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday 19 October.

Josh Walker’s strike in stoppage time at the end of the first-half proved to be the difference between the two sides to halt Dale’s progress.

Jimmy McNulty made just the one alteration to last Saturday’s cup win with Aidan Barlow making his first start for the club as Tobi Adebayo-Rowling missed out on the matchday squad.

Southend created the early momentum and mustered up a couple of half chances. Aaron Henry deflected an effort from Oliver Coker wide of the target which was closely followed by a superb Liam Hogan block as he prevented Josh Walker from opening the scoring.

Around the half hour mark, a free-kick was fizzed into a dangerous area where Nathan Ralph glanced a header in front of the onrushing David Robson, the ball narrowly avoiding the Dale goal.

Jili Buyabu had a few darting runs down the left-hand side, his first delivery was high and evaded everyone before a second ball in was cleared just ahead of Kairo Mitchell.

On the stroke of half-time, Southend managed to break the deadlock. Noor Husin curled a ball into the middle which was hooked back to Walker who airkicked his first attempt but it fell nicely for the forward who slammed home.

Dale regrouped and looked threatening from the restart, Tarryn Allarakhia took a nice touch away from his defender and went for goal, only for it to be parried wide for a corner.

A minute later, Dale created their best opportunity when Jake Burger played in Ryan East who’s delivery was pinpoint for Mitchell who’s header was directed just over the crossbar.

Connor McBride was introduced at the break and had a chance when he latched onto a loose back pass and initially took it round the goalkeeper, only for the Shrimpers stopper to react well and palm it wide.

Dale were on top of proceedings but another chance went begging when East put a ball in which was met by Liam Hogan, straight at the goalkeeper.

Buyabu and Barlow both had efforts from the edge of the area around the hour mark which ended up off target.

Southend did almost grab a second when Nathan Ralph tried bundling home ten minutes from time, the ball then falling for Macauley Bonne who sliced his shot wide of the far post.

It was Dale who made the final effort on goal to try and draw level, Allarakhia doing well to open the space and bend a left-footed strike which looked like it was heading for the top corner, only to be denied by Collin Andeng-Ndi’s flying save and Dale were left empty-handed.