Southend United 1-1 Rochdale

Rochdale earned a valuable point at a blustery Roots Hall but had the chances to take all three. Jamie Allen gave Dale the lead when he finished off well from 18 yards. Dale had penalty appeals turned down when home defenders seemingly handled on the line firstly from Scott Hogan and then Ian Henderson on the follow up. The home side drew level a minute before half time when a long punt upfield was flicked on to Kevan Hurst who finished with aplomb to beat Lillis.

With the busy festive period upon us, Dale manager Keith Hill made five changes to his starting 11. Joe Rafferty, Olly Lancashire, Jamie Allen, Matty Lund and Graham Cummins all started.

Dale took the lead on 14 minutes when Cummins’ shot was blocked with the ball spinning out to Allen. The youngster showed a cool head to finish off the underside of the bar for 1-0.

Dale were certainly in the ascendency but couldn’t take their chances when on top.

Cummins headed over from inside the six yard box although he was under intense pressure.

The big talking point came just after the half hour mark when there was a huge appeal of hand ball. A Dale breakaway saw Hogan race at goal and after cutting onto his right foot fired at goal but was denied on the line with more than a hint of handball. The loose ball fell to Henderson who also saw a shot blocked and again seeing hand ball appeals waved away.

Southend started to get a foot hold in the game and on the stroke of half time levelled. A long ball from the keeper was flicked to Hurst with the striker controlling and firing beyond Lillis from just inside the area.

With a strong wind behind them in the second half, Rochdale took the game to their hosts. Michael Rose fired a free-kick over whilst Allen screwed a shot wide after a short corner.

Another corner almost saw Dale score again but Lund’s shot was fumbled by stopper Bentley with his defenders on hand to slam the ball away.

For all of Dale’s dominance, it was Southend who went closest to a winner in the final quarter of the game. Central defender Rob Kiernan sent a bullet header over the bar from a corner whilst Lillis was brave to smother the danger of substitute Freddy Eastwood.

The nerves of the 78 travelling Dale fans were tested with just six minutes left when a perfect Timlin cross was met by Corr but the big striker saw his header hit the top of the crossbar.

Dale were again left wondering ‘what if’ refereeing decisions had gone their way but a point away at ground no Rochdale side has won at in 28 years has to be a point gained.

Attendance: 5,104 (78 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire (c), Eastham (Cavanagh 70), O’Connell, Rose, Lund, Allen, Cummins, Henderson (Vincenti 78), Hogan (Done 78)
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Bennett, Hery, Bunney

Southend: Bentley, White, Prosser, Kiernan, Coker, Timlin, Atkinson, Leonard (Woodrow 56), Corr, Straker, (Eastwood 73), Hurst
Subs: (not used) Smith, Laird, Phillips, Clifford, Thompson

Referee: Mr G Horwood
Assistant Referees: Mr R Atkin & Mr I Crouch
Fourth Official: Mr C Fitch