Emmannuel Dieseruvwe’s first-half double maintained Rochdale’s fine start to the Enterprise National League season with a 2-0 win over Braintree.
Dieseruvwe pounced with a 26th minute header from Tarryn Allarakhia’s cross to put the hosts in front at the Crown Oil Arena.
And he struck again six minutes later with his fourth goal in three games after an attempted clearance by visiting keeper Mason Terry was intercepted.
Braintree, who have now failed to win in four games, had Terry to thank for denying Dieseruvwe a hat-trick, while their best chance went begging late on when John Akinde’s effort was well saved by Oliver Whatmuff in the Rochdale goal.
