As Rochdale celebrated 100-year in the football league, they had to make do with a point at home to Colchester United.

Dale managed to equalize through Jimmy Keohane in the second half after a rather embarrassing own goal by Max Taylor gave the visitors the lead in the first half.

The team news came through via Twitter and had Jay Lynch in net but as the teams emerged from the dressing room, it was Joel Coleman starting the game. Robbie Stockdale said in his post-match interview that Lynch had injured his arm in the warm-up. Aside from that, Danny Cashman was on the bench as Alex Newby made it back into the starting eleven. George Broadbent was back from Covid and made it back into the squad while Liam Kelly will have to wait a little longer.

Dale were in celebratory mood as the date marked 100 consecutive years in the football league which is some achievement for a club like us. Having seen off the recent hostile takeover from Andy Curran and Darrell Rose, via Alex Jarvis and former Rochdale directors selling their shares to these chancers, the fact we've been a football league club for so long meant that bit more.

We had a change of kit as well as Dale came out in their anniversary kit to mark the occasion, black and white stripes which looked rather smart. The same couldn't be said for Colchester's away kit which was horrendous!

It's fair to say Dale had the better of the opening exchanges and created half chances at least. Corey O'Keeffe shot over the bar after good work from Swiss Army Jimmy on 5 minutes.

I'll be honest, what I could actually see was limited. I'd moved behind the goal in the Sandy and with the white netting, it was very difficult to see through it, more so than the old darker netting. So what I report here might all be bollocks to be fair.

With just over 20 minutes gone Morley picked out Odoh who shot wide of the target.

Colchester were starting to get into the game more and they went close through Jasper who hit a long range effort wide.

O'Keeffe was causing the Colchester midfield and defence issues, getting forward at will and his ball to Keohane wasn't converted by the Irishman.

The visitors had another effort off target through Wiredu before they took the lead on 40 minutes. A horrendous own-goal from Dale defender Max Taylor made it 1-0 to Colchester. His backpass to Coleman was overhit and seemed to catch Coleman off guard and it nestled into the far corner. It was a really good finish to be fair. I'll be honest, I've only seen it on the highlights as I'd gone for a pre-half-time rush wee. Max took responsibility for the goal but Coleman should possibly have stopped it too maybe.

Dale were behind at the break while fans got to see past Dale players parade around the pitch. It was wonderful to see the likes of Gary Jones, Shaun Reid, Kevin Townson etc.

Colchester started the second half quite brightly and should have extended their lead through Nouble who turned his effort wide when he should have done better.

O'Connell was a rock at the back for Dale and put in a couple of brilliant blocks to thwart the visitors and Dale managed to counter attack from one. Juriel Dorsett got forward and crossed well but Newby couldn't convert.

O'Keeffe had an effort saved by George but it was fairly simple for the Colchester keeper.

Then, on the hour mark, Dale were back on level terms! Jake Beesley, who had been fairly ineffective to this point, did really well and he played in the "Chorley Cruyff" Alex Newby who got to the byline and drilled a brilliant ball to the back post where Swiss Army Jimmy was on hand to put the ball past the keeper and make it 1-1.

Abraham Odoh was struggling to be as involved as previous games and he was the first change for Dale on 65 minutes, replaced by midweek goalscorer Danny Cashman.

Dale made their second change about 10 minutes later as Conor Grant replaced Alex Newby.

The home side continued to try and push for a winner and there was a huge shout for a penalty when O'Keeffe did brilliantly to get past his marker and his first touch took him into the box and he went down under a challenge but referee Rebecca Welch wasn't interested. It was absolutely the correct decision too as O'Keeffe wasn't fouled, he was on his way down when contact was made.

Max Taylor made a quite fantastic block late on to prevent a certain goal it seemed. A fine performance from the youngster, own goal apart.

Joel Coleman made a fantastic save from Kennedy who was one on one with him in stoppage time, another certain goal stopped!

Aaron Morley had a free kick late on but it was too far out for a shot so he tried a dink forward but his ball was awful.

The full time whistle went and honours were even.

PLAYER RATINGS:

Joel Coleman - 7 (Did well I thought apart from maybe the goal. Great save at the end)

Corey O'Keeffe - 7 (Really like this lad, didn't like him going down easy for a penalty but he's been really impressive so far)

Max Taylor - 7 (Excellent again apart from the own goal)

EOGHAN O'CONNELL - 8 (Outstanding from the skipper, solid as a rock)

Juriel Dorsett - 7 (Thought the young man did very well)

Jimmy Keohane - 7 (Good to see him back on the scoresheet)

Aaron Morley - 6 (No idea how he was given MOTM)

Stephen Dooley - 6 (Did ok but not as impressive as midweek)

Abraham Odoh - 6 (Not as effective as previous outings)

Alex Newby - 7 (Excellent again from Newby, another wonderful assist)

Jake Beesley - 6 (Did well in the build up for the goal and worked tirelessly but was pretty ineffective for the most part)

SUBS:

Danny Cashman - 6 (Struggled to get into the game)
Conor Grant - 6 (Not on long enough to have an impact)

Photo: Action Images

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