Rochdale 1 - 1 Gillingham

Rochdale were held to a draw by the League 2 champions elect after an even and fiercely contested game at Spotland. George Donnelly gave Dale an early lead with a stunning lob from 30 yards but the Gill’s hit back early in the second half through leading scorer Danny Kedwell. The visitors were reduced to 10 men late on when Andy Frampton appeared to headbutt Bobby Grant and referee Haywood was again at the centre of attention when he failed to spot a blatant handball inside the area by Gillingham's Joe Martin.

On the back of defeat at the weekend, getting something from this game was always going to be important but against the league leaders, not an easy task. Rhys Bennett looks likely to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury picked up at Bristol, Michael Rose stepped in at right back whilst Andrew Tutte was missing with a knee injury; club Captain Peter Cavanagh replacing.

The early minutes of the game were very scrappy as both teams tried to find their feet but the game sprung to life on 12 minutes when Dale took the lead. A long punt upfield looked easy for the visiting defence but a mistake from Leon Legge allowed George Donnelly to gain possession. The striker, with his back to goal and 30 yards out, hit a first time shot over Stuart Nelson in the Gills goal.

The goal spurred the home side on with Bobby Grant going close with a long range effort whilst Donnelly should have done better when he stole the ball off Frampton but fired high over from 20 yards.

The second half was played more in the Dale half of the pitch as Martin Allen's league leaders searched for a leveller. Kedwell’s shot from an acute angle was tipped over by Lillis whilst seconds later, Dack’s angled drive was too powerful for German to reach as he dived but failed to connect.

A left wing corner for Gills caused problems as Fish flicked on at the near post, thankfully the ball drifted across goal with nobody attacking it.

11 minutes after the re-start and Gillingham were level. Quick, incisive passing carved open the Dale back-line with Kedwell heading home Fish’s cross from inside the 6 yard box.

The leveller settled both sides down. Donnelly seemed to get caught in 2 minds when well placed to cross but his ball into the area whistled well wide.

Antonio German should have done better when he beat the offside trap but Lillis in the Dale goal was quick out to push the ball wide.

Grant saw a run and shot deflected wide after a swift Dale counter attacking move and Joe Thompson thought he’d put Dale back in front but his shot deflected into the side netting. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff saw a looping header cleared off the line as Hill’s men went for the win.

As the game neared its end, a rush of blood from Gillingham midfielder Andy Frampton meant the game would descend into chaos. In an attempt to block a clearance from Charlie Lee, George Donnelly left a foot in on the visiting substitute which caused a fracas involving both sets of players. Frampton took exception to Grant's intervention and appeared to aim a headbutt at the Dale striker with referee Haywood brandishing a straight red card for the Gills man.

During 5 minutes of stoppage time, Dale had huge appeals for a penalty waved away by the official much to the dismay of the home players and fans alike.

Although a point against the league leaders would have been welcomed before the game, a hint of disappointment could be seen on the faces of the Dale players as they left the field at full time.

Attendance: 1551

Rochdale: Lillis, Kennedy, Rose, Edwards, McIntyre, Cansdell-Sherriff, Cavanagh, Henderson (Grimes 64), Thompson, Donnelly, Grant
Subs: (not used) Collis, Rafferty, Allen, Barry-Murphy, Haworth, O’Connor

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Legge, Barrett, Frampton, Whelpdale (Lee 23), Robinson, Dack (Allen 61), Kedwell (Burton 65), German
Subs: (not used) Forecast, Davies, Gregory, Birchall,

Referee: Mr M Haywood
Assistant Referee: Mr R Jones & Mr D Handley
Fourth Official: Mr A Greenwood