Match ends, Rochdale 0, Southend United 3.
RochdaleRochdale0SouthendSouthend United3
Southend dented Rochdale's hopes for automatic promotion with an easy win at Spotland that keeps them in the hunt for a play-off place in League One.
The Shrimpers went in front when Barry Corr tucked in Jacob Murphy's cross from close range after 12 minutes.
Murphy then doubled the lead just before the break after he tapped in Ryan Leonard's centre.
Michael Timlin's volley made the points safe before Kevan Hurst nearly got a fourth, hitting the bar from distance.
Rochdale slipped down to third in the table, three points clear of fourth-placed Fleetwood, while Southend went sixth with a three-point cushion in the race for the play-offs.
Rochdale manager Keith Hill told BBC Radio Manchester:
"It was a tense game and I think the tension was in the performance, it looks like a crisis of confidence.
"We've got three more opportunities but we can't afford to perform with those types of nerves.
"It's no time for throwing in the towel or spitting the dummy out or harsh words or criticisms, the players need support."
Line-ups
Rochdale
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Lillis
- 2Rafferty
- 16DoneBooked at 49mins
- 4CavanaghSubstituted forAllenat 45'minutes
- 22O'Connell
- 6Lancashire
- 40Henderson
- 12LundBooked at 81mins
- 11HoganSubstituted forDonnellyat 30'minutes
- 25RoseSubstituted forVincentiat 45'minutesBooked at 84mins
- 39Bunney
Substitutes
- 3Bennett
- 5Eastham
- 7Vincenti
- 9Donnelly
- 14Hery
- 21Thomson
- 24Allen
Southend
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 17Bentley
- 2White
- 3Coker
- 18Leonard
- 35Sokolik
- 32Egan
- 14HurstBooked at 55minsSubstituted forProsserat 84'minutes
- 12Atkinson
- 10CorrSubstituted forLozaat 73'minutes
- 8Timlin
- 15MurphySubstituted forStrakerat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Laird
- 6Prosser
- 7Eastwood
- 9Loza
- 11Straker
- 25Chambers
- 39Barnard
- Referee:
- Jeremy Simpson
- Attendance:
- 3,884
Match Stats
Home TeamRochdaleAway TeamSouthend
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away5
- Corners
- Home8
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rochdale 0, Southend United 3.
Post update
Corner, Rochdale. Conceded by John White.
Post update
Luke Prosser (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by George Donnelly (Rochdale).
Substitution
Substitution, Southend United. Luke Prosser replaces Kevan Hurst.
Booking
Peter Vincenti (Rochdale) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Peter Vincenti (Rochdale).
Post update
Ben Coker (Southend United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Jack O'Connell (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Michael Timlin (Southend United).
Post update
Oliver Lancashire (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jamar Loza (Southend United).
Booking
Matthew Lund (Rochdale) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Matthew Lund (Rochdale).
Post update
Anthony Straker (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Matthew Lund (Rochdale) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Michael Timlin (Southend United).
Post update
Hand ball by Joseph Rafferty (Rochdale).
Post update
Attempt missed. Peter Vincenti (Rochdale) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
