Jaden Williams came off the bench to score a late winner as Colchester beat winless Rochdale at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Williams brilliantly steered a first-time effort into the top corner from Kane Vincent-Young's cross in the 87th minute to break the deadlock for the U's and secure them back-to-back wins.
Colchester almost took a sixth-minute lead when Jack Payne's shot flew straight at keeper Nils Ramming, after Oscar Thorn had delivered a low cross into the six-yard box.
Kane Taylor then nodded wide from Dan Moss's cross for the Dale.
But the U's came close to breaking the deadlock just before the half hour as Brad Ihionvien's close-range shot deflected wide for a corner when it looked a certain goal, after Payne had done well to carve out the chance.
Ryan East's deflected long-range strike flew just wide for Rochdale early in the second half while at the other end, Harry Anderson's powerful strike was palmed away by the diving Dale keeper Nils Ramming, before Williams struck.
Report supplied by PA Media.
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