Source: PA
Hendo downs Dale
Ian Henderson's 89th-minute goal handed Colchester their first win of the season against League One new boys Rochdale - coming out 2-1 victors.
The hosts started brightly and looked the more likely scorers in the opening 25 minutes. But Colchester sprang into life when Henderson's back post cross picked out David Mooney. He wasted a free header, sending his effort over the bar, but the chance roused the visitors after a quiet start.
Henderson, set up by Andrew Bond, lifted the ball over Josh Lillis but clipped the crossbar while Lillis pulled off a fine save to keep out another Henderson attempt minutes later.
Colchester's pressure finally paid off on 38 minutes when Bond's strike from the edge of the box took a deflection off Jason Kennedy and beat Lillis at his near post.
Rochdale levelled two minutes into the second half when Brian Barry-Murphy's corner was met by Craig Dawson and he drove home from eight yards through a crowded penalty area.
Substitute Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro's curled a shot against the crossbar and later blasted one into the side netting and Rochdale were on top when the visitors hit them on the counter attack in the 89th minute, Henderson collecting Mooney's pass and dinking the ball over Lillis.
