Southend United continued their miserable start to the new season at Spotland on Saturday as a brace from Rochdale skipper Gary Jones handed the 10-man home side a well deserved 2-0 win.
Going up in the world - Spencer Prior outjumps Grant Holt as Kevin Maher looks on Picture: ANNA LUKALA
The former Barnsley midfielder, who saw team-mate Leo Bertos sent off for violent conduct just after the break, stroked home a second half spot-kick after earlier opening the scoring in spectacular style after just three minutes.
The combative 27-year-old collected a neat Paul Tait flick to fire a thunderous first-time, half-volley high into the top right hand corner of the net from 25 yards.
The speculative effort sparked the Shrimpers into life however and, in the 12th minute, a dangerous Kevin Maher free kick creeped inches wide of the right post after agonisingly evading a whole host of players in a congested penalty area.
Mark Bentley's eight-yard effort was then bravely blocked by Daryl Burgess and, just seconds later, Drewe Broughton headed Mark Gower's right-wing cross straight at Neil Edwards from 14 yards.
But, on the stroke of half time, Steve Parkin's side twice came close to extending their lead as McCourt curled a low 20-yard effort only inches wide of the right post with Bart Griemink well beaten.
After the break, Holt was at it again, sending a long-range shot wide of the right post before Dale were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute as the New Zealand-born Bertos was sent off for recklessly kicking out at Blues' Mark Bentley.
Bentley was booked for his part in proceedings but, despite their numerical disadvantage, Rochdale soon increased their lead in contentious circumstances as referee Russell Booth harshly penalised a grounded Adam Barrett, who replaced the injured Spencer Prior, for handling a well struck Paul Tait shot.
The decision infuriated the Southend defender, but after the strong Shrimpers protests eventually died down Jones stepped forward to confidently stroke the resulting spot-kick low into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Published Monday August 16, 2004
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