Gillingham 1-0 Rochdale

Gillingham 1-0 Rochdale

Rochdale had two men sent off as their slim hopes of reaching the League One playoff’s were dealt a blow after Bradley Dack’s 14th minute header was enough to separate the two sides. The midfielder headed home unchallenged from Doug Lofts corner. Goalkeeper Jamie Jones was shown a straight red card after the officials deemed his challenge outside the area unfair whilst Matt Lund suffered the same fate six minutes later for a heavy challenge on Dack.

Knowing only a victory would keep pressure on Chesterfield, the Dale manager made three changes from Tuesday nights defeat to Swindon. Lund, back after over three months out injured, started whilst Noble-Lazarus and Andrew were preferred as Hill went with a 3-5-2 formation.

The opening exchanges were scrappy with neither side able to string any passes together but the only goal of the game wasn’t great defensively. Noble-Lazarus’ brave defending led to a Gill’s corner that Dack was given the freedom of the Priestfield pitch to head home.

Dale grew into the game as the half wore on and almost got back on level terms 11 minutes later through Noble-Lazarus. Andy Cannon’s firm challenge on Dickenson wasn’t liked by Loft who left the Dale youngster in a heap with a follow up challenge. Referee D’Urso played a good advantage as Allen broke away before feeding Noble-Lazarus but the former Barnsley man’s shot was seemingly blocked by Henderson as he tried to divert the ball over the line from close range.

Henderson went even closer shortly before the break when his clever clipped shot came back off the inside of the far post; Allen seeing his follow up shot blocked.

Lund will feel he should have done better with a free header when he met a Noble-Lazarus corner from the right.

Rochdale’s task of turning the game around got much harder just after the hour mark when Jones was dismissed. Kennedy’s short back pass meant the keeper had to rush out of his area but seemingly got the ball first with the referee allowing play to continue but assistant Sam Purkiss flagged. Some ugly scenes followed as both sets of players clashed over the decision. Once the dust had settled, D’Urso brandished the red card after consultation with the assistant.

Peter Vincenti was sacrificed to allow substitute goalkeeper Josh Lillis to don the gloves.

The Dale responded well to going a man down and came close on a couple of occasions. Rose’ quickly taken freekick found Henderson wide on the left who in turn picked out Cannon but the youngster fired over under pressure 18 yards out.

Rose’ audacious 40 yard freekick brought the best out of home keeper Glenn Morris as Dale pushed for a leveller.

Dale were then reduced to nine men after Matt Lund was sent off. The midfielder’s solid challenge on Dack was adjudged a straight red card by D’Urso, much to the annoyance of the Dale manager.

Even two men light, it was Dale who forced the game and looked the only ones likely to score but as the game wore on, Gillingham just defended; much to the dissatisfaction of the home fans who wanted their side to push for goals.

In the end Dale just couldn’t get that elusive goal and with results elsewhere, it would take an amazing sequence of results for Dale to reach the season extenders.

Attendance: 5,430

Rochdale: Jones, Cannon, Eastham, Rafferty, Kennedy, Vincenti (Lillis 64), Allen, Lund, Noble-Lazarus (Rose 52), Andrew (Logan 61) Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Camps, Lancashire, Tanser, Bunney

Gillingham: G Morris, Egan, Ehmer, Legge, Loft (Pritchard 80), Marquis, McDonald (Norris 73), McGlashan (Bell 89), A Morris, Dack, Dickenson
Subs: (not used) Nelseon, Hessenthaler, Muldoon, Hoyte

Referee: Mr A D’Urso
Assistant referees: Mr C O’Donnell & Mr S Purkiss
Fourth Official: Mr R Whitton