A Jordan Roberts brace earned Gillingham a point at Rochdale on Saturday, but it so easily could have been all three.
Ian Henderson’s spot-kick put Dale ahead but they needed a 68th-minute Stephen Dooley equaliser after Jordan Roberts’ brace had turned the game around.
The result moved Dale seven points clear of the bottom three, whilst The Gills sit 14th in League One, six points outside the play-off places.
Coming into the game, all the talk was about Friday’s signing, John Akinde, but it was Roberts that stole the show for a Gillingham side that should have come away from Spotland with a victory.
The game sparked into life when the home side took the lead from the spot in the 28th minute.
Referee Paul Marsden pointed to the spot after Rhys Norrington-Davies was brought down by goalkeeper Jack Bonham and Henderson scored the penalty.
Dale’s lead lasted just four minutes. Olly Lee’s corner picked out the run of Roberts and he headed powerfully home from six yards.
Gillingham took the lead when Dale yet again failed to deal with a set-piece.
This time a throw-in from the left by Connor Ogilvie was flicked on by John Akinde, MJ Williams failed to clear and Roberts pounced, volleying home his second from eight yards.
But Dale responded with a stunning strike from the edge of the area by Dooley as they claimed a point.
Gillingham had late chances to win it, but were left to rue missed opportunities and now must go into Wednesday night’s clash with Shrewsbury Town at Priestfield eyeing all three points.
Rochdale line up: Lynch, Norrington-Davies, O’Connell, Dooley, Williams (Done 67), Smith (Wilbraham 67), Keohane (Rathbone 55), McShane, Ryan, Henderson, Matheson.
Subs not used: Lillis, McNulty, Morley, Tavares.
Goals: Henderson (pen 28), Dooley (68).
Booked: Ryan (45+3).
Gillingham line up: Bonham, Fuller, Ogilvie, Ehmer, Tucker, Jones, O’Keefe, Lee (Willock 85), Roberts (Jakubiak 87), Hanlan, Akinde (Mandron 77).
Subs not used: Walsh, Hodson, Charles-Cook, Pringle.
Goals: Roberts (32), (59).
Booked: Roberts (76).
Referee: Mr Paul Marsden
Attendance: 3,084 (264 Gills)
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.