Yeovil Town slipped to their worst home defeat of the season as they crashed by three goals to nil against Rochdale.

An Ian Henderson double, one in each half, and a Jack O’Connell header saw Rochdale grab a deserved win against a Yeovil side that rarely threatened the visitors goal.

Dale move up to 8th place in the League One table while Yeovil remain rooted in the bottom four, leaving them with only one win from eight home league games this season.

Following Tuesday night’s defeat at Sheffield United, manager Gary Johnson opted for two changes down the right flank for today’s clash. Defender Seth Twumasi and midfielder Joel Grant were omitted, Grant from the eighteen altogether, and replaced by Jakub Sokolik and Kevin Dawson.

The Glovers had the first chance of the match when Dawson, playing against his brother Stephen in the Rochdale line up, volleyed a cross straight at Dale keeper Conrad Logan. If the chance going begging wasn’t enough, the visitors opened the scoring a minute later. Michael Rose, a former Glover of course, swung in a left footed corner and Jack O’Connell met it perfectly with a bullet header that flew into the opposite corner.

Dale had their tails up and pressed for a second, forcing four corners in a row, Ian Henderson seeing his header well saved by Town keeper Artur Krysiak from one of them.

But the reprieve was temporary as soon after, Dale doubled their advantage. Rose was again involved, his throw in returned to him by Henderson before crossing into the box. Ryan Inniss’ header only reached Henderson who gleefully lashed the ball into the corner.

Jordy Hiwula, looking for his first senior goal, volleyed over when the ball wouldn’t quite come down for him and Liam Davis fired way over but the majority of possession and chances were at the other end. Krysiak tipped over brilliantly from Henderson’s curler from the edge of the box.

Matt Done, who looked lively up front all game, just couldn’t stretch far enough to get any real contact on a Stephen Dawson cross, firing way over from two yards out. And when both Rhys Bennett and Dawson again went close, it looked like a third was inevitable.

Hiwula went really close with a header that Logan had to acrobatically clear as the last chance of a poor first half.

The second half opened in similar fashion, despite Ajay Leitch-Smith coming on for Sokolik and Kevin Dawson regressing to right back. Krysiak again denied Henderson before falling on to a shot from Bennett that lacked power.

On 52 minutes, the third and final goal arrived. Done sprang the offside trap down the right flank and crossed for an unmarked Henderson at the back post to head home his seventh goal of the season.

He nearly made it eight on the hour but the assistant referee’s flag saved Yeovil. Dawson fed Allen who maybe should have shot but instead squared to Henderson who tucked the ball home, from an offside position. Still 3-0 but getting no better for Yeovil.

Nathan Smith came on for James Hayter halfway through the second half, slotting into left back with Sam Foley pushing up top. Krysiak then saved from a Michael Rose free kick before the Glovers finally created two opportunities. A Liam Davis volley was blocked by a Dale defender and a Hiwula left foot effort flew wide.

But it was all too little too late and although Foley looked bright with a jinking run and chip that at least tested Logan, Yeovil’s defeat had been confirmed way before the final whistle came from ref Pat Miller.