Rochdale 2 - 1 Colchester United

Rochdale made it two wins in four days after overcoming relegation threatened Colchester United. Rhys Bennett headed Dale into an early lead with skipper Ian Henderson firing home a stunning second against his former side just after half time. Chris Porter halved the deficit from the penalty spot after Michael Rose tripped Gavin Massey to set up a nervous finish but Dale saw the game through.

Dale manager Keith Hill was forced into one change from the midweek win over Crewe with full back Joe Rafferty missing out through injury, Andy Cannon deputising.

Dale got off to the perfect start when they took the lead in the sixth minute. Tom Kennedy’s floated ball into the area was headed on by Joe Bunney with Bennett quickest to react to head the bouncing ball past Sam Walker in the Colchester goal.

Dale were certainly having more of the ball but couldn’t find a way past Walker a second time.

Joe Bunney’s low cross looked perfect for Henderson but the keeper got down to block out the danger.

Colchester, who started the day in the bottom four, began to test Dale. Firstly Sammie Szmodics brought the best out of Jamie Jones before Massey’s acrobatic effort was easily dealt with by Jones.

Colchester perhaps should have levelled seven minutes before the break when Porter was picked out perfectly by Massey but the big striker failed to hit the target with a free header six yards out.

The second half began much like the first with Dale doubling their advantage after just 10 minutes. Jack O’Connell’s free-kick on the halfway line was lifted into the area with Alex Wynter getting caught underneath the ball. Henderson had gambled on a mistake and collected the ball before unleashing a powerful volley from a very acute angle into the far bottom corner.

With a two goal advantage, Dale looked comfortable but gave Colchester a lifeline just after the hour mark - Michael Rose leaving a leg for Massey to fall over inside the area. Chris Porter firing the spot kick into the roof of the net.

Both teams looked threatening, Jamie Allen forcing Walker into a low save whilst at the other end David Fox was denied by a flying save by Jones.

Colchester made a double change on 79 minutes that was almost inspired as Macauley Bonne came close to netting with his first touch, Jones getting down low to his right to tip the ball around the post.

Colchester will feel they did enough for a point but the Dale faithful won't care too much about that as their side is now just three points outside the playoffs with two games in hand over many of their rivals.

Attendance: 2.625

Jones, Cannon (Dawson 70), Eastham, O’Connell, Kennedy, Rose, Bennett, Allen, Vincenti, Bunney (Noble-Lazarus 78), Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Hery, Logan, Brandy, Tanser

Colchester: Walker, Wynter (Sembie-Ferris 79), Osbourne, Eastman, Briggs, Gilbey, Fox(c), Hewitt, Szmodics, Massey, Porter (Bonne 79)
Subs: (not used) Lewington, Marriott, Lawrence, Moncur, McEvoy

Referee: Mr O Langford
Assistant Referees: Mr S Clayton and Mr D Markham
Fourth Official: Mr N Hopton