In an evenly matched affair, it looked as though the game would end goalless until Jaden Williams’ fine finish three minutes from time secured all three points for the hosts.
Ian Watson made three changes to his starting line-up, with Baba Adeeko and Kane Taylor making their first starts for the club. Zain Silcott-Duberry also came in, as Dale lined up with four at the back and two wingers. Bryant Bilongo, despite having served his one-match suspension, missed out after joining the lengthy injury list.
The home side put some early pressure on Dale, with Jack Payne’s side-footed effort being held by Nils Ramming, before the stopper comfortably collected Jack Tucker’s deflected header.
Watson’s men grew into the game quickly though, with Harvey Gilmour dragging a shot wide and Taylor heading Dan Moss’ cross off target.
Moss was involved at the other end just before the half-hour mark, making a crucial tackle to deny Payne as the Colchester man was set to pull the trigger. The ball fell for Bradley Ihionvien, who was denied at point blank range by Ramming’s outstretched foot.
Dajaune Brown’s turn and shot from the edge of the area was straight at Timothee Lo-Tutala, who held, as the game entered the interval goalless.
After the break, Ryan East saw a shot from just outside the area deflected narrowly wide, whilst Ramming pulled off a fine diving save to his right to deny Harry Anderson’s well-struck effort, before Sam Sherring cleared the loose ball well.
Sherring and Harvey Gilmour made some crucial, brave blocks on shots from inside the area, whilst substitute Luke Hannant hit one well off target after Moss’ cross had found its way to him.
There was a chance for Brown on the breakaway after being found by Adeeko, but he was forced sideways and played the ball out to Moss, whose cross found Hannant, although his volley went straight into the midriff of East.
The Moss-Hannant link-up was proving dangerous for Dale, with a cross to the back stick headed goalwards by the substitute, although Lo-Tutala held comfortably.
With just three minutes of the 90 remaining, Dale fell behind when Jaden Williams turned a cross from the right into the far top corner, in off the woodwork.
Dale threw bodies forward in search of a late equaliser, but it didn’t come, as the hosts moved up to second in the table.
Colchester United XI | Lo-Tutala, Hunt, Iandolo, Tucker ©, Anderson, Ihionvien (57’ Chiwome), Payne, Sesay (74’ Terry), Raggett, Thorn (57’ Williams), Vincent-Young.
Unused subs | Smith, Digby, Connolly, Kuffour Jr.
Scorers | 87’ Williams.
Dale XI | Ramming, Wilson, East (88’ Dieseruvwe), Ebanks-Landell ©, Gilmour (79’ Francis), Silcott-Duberry (69’ Hannant), Adeeko, Taylor (79’ Smith), Moss, Sherring, Brown.
Unused subs | Waller, Adebayo-Rowling, Henderson.
Attendance | 4,683 (283 away).
