Colchester United slumped to their fifth successive league defeat after being thumped 4-1 at home by play-off chasing Rochdale.

The U's have now shipped 14 goals in their last four games in League One, after being put to the sword by Dale in front of a crowd of just 2,920 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester did start brightly, with George Moncur sending a shot straight at Rochdale goalkeeper Conrad Logan in the opening minutes.

But the visitors got better and better as the first half wore on, with the U's struggling to deal with the likes of Ian Henderson and Matt Done.

Colchester fell behind in the 26th minute lead when Matthew Lund followed up to score after Sam Walker had parried away a free-kick from former Colchester defender Michael Rose’s free-kick.

The U's conceded again three minutes later when Peter Vincenti converted from close range, after Walker had once again only pushed away Matt Done’s shot from the edge of the area.

Walker denied Henderson, who then saw his header strike the crossbar, as the visitors threatened to score again.

And Rochdale went 3-0 up four minutes before the break.

Colchester defender Kaspars Gorkss tripped Stephen Dawson in the area and the impressive Henderson scored from the spot.

Gavin Massey at least gave Colchester some brief hope early in the second half when he fired in a low shot from 25 yards, less than five minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.

But Rochdale restored their three-goal advantage six minutes later through Jack O’Connell, who headed in their fourth at the far post as Colchester again looked suspect defensively.

Henderson hit the bar again in stoppage-time, as Colchester were beaten.

For five pages of coverage of the U's game with Rochdale, see Monday's Daily Gazette.