Cole Skuse’s late gaol sealed victory at Rochdale to lift Colchester further away from the League Two relegation zone.
The visitors took the lead in the 26th minute when John Akinde held off his markers to collect Noah Chilvers’ free-kick. The big striker, with his back to goal, laid the ball off for the incoming Junior Tchamadeu to smash into the roof of Jake Eastwood’s net.
The home side leveled in the 35th minute after Aidy White picked out Ian Henderson and, while Kieran O’Hara managed to keep out his shot, Devante Rodney was quick to pounce on the rebound and slam home.
James Ball wasted a glorious chance for Rochdale after the break, firing straight at O’Hara after being played clean through by Rodney.
Rodney himself was denied by O’Hara before a goalkeeping error handed Colchester all three points in the 87th minute.
Skuse’s drive from 25 yards out skidded off the turf in front of Eastwood and the keeper, who on Friday returned to the club for a second spell on loan from Sheffield United, allowed the ball to squirm beneath him and across the goal line.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Rochdale
Formation 5-3-2
- 21Eastwood
- 11OdohSubstituted forSinclairat 85′minutes
- 5Taylor
- 6Ebanks-Landell
- 15GrahamSubstituted forQuigleyat 72′minutes
- 3WhiteBooked at 63minsSubstituted forJohnat 69′minutes
- 25Lloyd-McGoldrickSubstituted forDiagouragaat 73′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 7Kelly
- 13KeohaneSubstituted forCampbellat 90+1′minutes
- 10Rodney
- 40HendersonSubstituted forballat 72′minutes
Substitutes
- 1O’Donnell
- 8ball
- 17Sinclair
- 18Quigley
- 19Campbell
- 20Diagouraga
- 24John
Colchester
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 13O’Hara
- 4Chambers
- 5SmithSubstituted forHallat 80′minutes
- 6Dallison-Lisbon
- 22Tchamadeu
- 8Skuse
- 17AshleySubstituted forJayat 65′minutesBooked at 67mins
- 23woodSubstituted forKelleherat 90+3′minutes
- 14ChilversSubstituted forReadat 65′minutes
- 24Akinde
- 34TovidSubstituted forHannantat 80′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Hornby
- 7Hannant
- 11Sears
- 15Kelleher
- 16Read
- 20Jay
- 29Hall
Live Text
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Match ends, Rochdale 1, Colchester United 2.
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Second Half ends, Rochdale 1, Colchester United 2.
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Foul by Devante Rodney (Rochdale).
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John Akinde (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Cameron John (Rochdale).
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John Akinde (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Toumani Diagouraga (Rochdale) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Toumani Diagouraga (Rochdale).
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Luke Hannant (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Colchester United. Fiacre Kelleher replaces Connor Wood.
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Offside, Colchester United. Junior Tchamadeu tries a through ball, but John Akinde is caught offside.
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Foul by Liam Kelly (Rochdale).
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Luke Hannant (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Substitution, Rochdale. Tahvon Campbell replaces Jimmy Keohane.
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Foul by Devante Rodney (Rochdale).
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Connor Hall (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Goal! Rochdale 1, Colchester United 2. Cole Skuse (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by John Akinde.
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Substitution, Rochdale. Tyrese Sinclair replaces Abraham Odoh.
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Corner, Rochdale. Granted by Kieran O’Hara.
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Attempt saved. Devante Rodney (Rochdale) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top center of the goal. Assisted by Liam Kelly.