Rochdale 1 - 1 Gillingham

Rochdale were made to pay for missed chances as Gillingham left Spotland with an undeserved point. Peter Vincenti, Ian Henderson and Matt Done each spurned good chances in a frustrating game. Vincenti headed Dale in front midway through the first half but Rochdale saw chance after chance go begging. Gillingham’s Cody McDonald levelled late on after poor defending.

Keith Hill threw a surprise in his starting eleven by including Michael Rose for his first start since August and the midfielder didn’t disappoint with his industry and tackling.

Peter Vincenti could have had a hat-trick before half time but his first chance on 12 minutes needed more power. A Tanser low cross found Vincenti but his shot lacked the power to beat Bywater.

The opening goal came on 25 minutes and was started by Tanser. The young defender sent a raking ball across field to Done, who laid off to Bennett. The full back sent a perfect cross towards the back post for Vincenti to head home the opener from two yards.

Dale pressed for the second.

Rose’s 30 yard free kick was only parried by Spotland keeper Stephen Bywater; Ian Henderson hooked over with the follow up.

It was almost déjà vu two minutes later when Rose’s 35 yard shot was pushed away by Bywater; Henderson again off target with the rebound.

The closest Gillingham came was into first half stoppage time when McDonald was foiled by the reactions of Logan in the Dale goal following a corner.

The second half began with the same flow as the first.

Henderson headed wide after good work from Done.

Stephen Bywater had some luck on his return to Spotland after Michael Rose’s powerful cross. Vincenti connected with the ball but somehow found the hands of the visiting goalkeeper from close range.

Gillingham grew in confidence as the game wore on and equalised seven minutes from time. Cody McDonald netting from close range after the Dale defence failed to clear a Gillingham centre.

The frustrations of the home faithful were compounded when second half substitute Matt Lund fired over from an acute angle and then Scott Tanser saw his right footed shot easily caught by Bywater.

It was certainly a case of two points dropped but the Dale boss tried to look upon the positives of gaining another point towards their final points tally.

Attendance: 2,574

Rochdale: Logan, Bennett, Eastham, O’Connell, Tanser, Dawson (Lund 86), Allen, Rose, Done (Andrew 79), Vincenti, Henderson
Subs: (not used) Diba, Muldoon, Rafferty, Lancashire, Hery

Gillingham, Bywater, Fish, Egan (c),Legge, Hause (Hoyte 51), Hessenthaler, Linganzi (McGlashan 73), Pritchard, Dack (Norris 46), Dickenson, McDonald
Subs: (not used) Nelson, Kedwell, German, Hare

Referee: Mr E Ilderton
Assistant Referees: Mr B Cropp & Mr J Hunt
Fourth Official: Mr N Hopton