Dale crashed to their first home defeat of the season in our first game with new manager John Hollins. Southend stole the points with a stunning 30 yard volley from Stephen Broad.

Well after weeks of speculation we had our new manager named in the form of John Hollins. Today was the first time he got to see his new team in action, as it was rumoured that Dave Hamilton picked the team again. And Hollins was probably less than impressed with the performance as were most of the sub three thousand crowd at Spotland.

Dale were poor and this was one of our worst performances of the season. Southend had lost their last 7 away matches and it showed. They too were very poor and besides from their goal they never looked threatening whatsoever. Their dirty tactics though in the end prevailed and they hung on for the three points.

The goal came after just seven minutes. Paul Connor had the ball in his own half and he was completely pole-axed to the ground. With most Dale fans expecting a free-kick the referee ignored the incident. The ball fell to Broad and he hit a stunning volley into the top corner giving loanee debutant Steve Banks in the nets no chance at all.

The goal should of sparked Dale into life but it didn't. In fact we had to wait until deep into first half stoppage time before we had our first shot on goal. Flahavan saved well low down from a neat flick shot from Clive Platt.

The second half Dale stepped things up a gear, but we still lacked creativity and against such a defensive minded opposition we struggled to break them down. Dale started to create chances but we never really tested Flahavan in the visitors goals. Dale had a claim for a penalty turned down when Connor went down in the box but it would of been very harsh if it was given.

With just 9 minutes left Southend keeper Flahavan was given his marching orders, for what, I couldn't really tell. It may well have been for a foul on Connor or maybe it was a handball outside his area. Either way he was sent off and Dale awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. It came to nothing and the brilliantly named Daniel Gay who had taken Flahavan's place in net looked a relieved man.

Dale thought they had been awarded a penalty with just a few minutes left. A looping ball came into the box and as Clive Platt jumped for it he was pushed in the back, before he somehow managed to overhead the kick the ball wide. For some reason a Southend defender went down clutching his face, and the result was a Southend free-kick.

Today was a very poor performance from the players and not many of them can say they played anywhere near as well as they know they can do. After seeing his team in action for the first time Mr Hollins must feel a little disappointed, I know myself and every other Dale fan watching today will feel that way anyway.

Photo: Action Images

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