Rochdale's disappointing home form continued with defeat against Southend at Spotland.

Dale, without a win at home since the opening day of the season, struggled to respond positively when Mark Rawle's 36th-minute header earned the Shrimpers a half-time lead.

David Flitcroft had a couple of long-range efforts charged down for Rochdale, while player-manager Paul Simpson hit the post in the second half.

However, Tes Bramble added Southend's second on 83 minutes to put the game beyond Simpson's men.

Goalkeeper Neil Edwards parried Leon Cort's header and Bramble was on hand to drill the ball home through a sea of bodies.

Gareth Griffiths met Simpson's corner with a thumping header with six minutes remaining, but Rob Newman's men battled gamely to earn all three points.

Rochdale: Edwards, Evans, Griffiths, Macauley, Doughty, Duffy, Flitcroft, Oliver, Simpson, McEvilly, Platt. Subs: Gilks, Townson, Jobson, Connor, Bishop.

Southend: Flahavan, Beard, Broad, Cort, Searle, Rawle, Maher, Jenkins, Smith, Bramble, Jones. Subs: Gay, Whelan, Thurgood, Clark, Maye.

Referee: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).