Ian Henderson’s hat-trick gave Rochdale their first home win of the League One season as they beat Gillingham.

Dale had lost their opening three games at the Crown Oil Arena but ended that run by inflicting a fifth defeat in the last six league games on the Gills.

The home side opened the scoring early when Henderson collected a loose ball in the area and slipped a neat finish beneath Tomas Holy.

Henderson then made the most of Matty Gillam’s pass to fire home a quick-fire second.

Tom Eaves wasted the visitors’ best chance of the half when he met Mark Byrne’s cross unchallenged only to guide a header wide.

Either side of the interval both Ryan Delaney and Henderson had the ball in the net only to see their efforts ruled out for fouls, while Eaves almost made up for his earlier miss with a stunning 25-yard shot against the crossbar.

Henderson’s third came just after the hour when he brilliantly volleyed home Aaron Wilbraham’s cross.

The defeat sees Steve Lovell’s side slip to 20th place in League One, just above the relegation zone and they next face second placed Peterborough United at Priestfield next Saturday afternoon.

 

Rochdale line up: Lillis, Rafferty, Hart, Delaney, McGahey, Camps, Rathbone, Gillam (Adshead 92), Wilbraham, Andrew (Williams 77), Henderson (Done 89).

Subs not used: McNulty, Perkins, Moore, Matheson.

Goals: Henderson (9), (18), (64).

Booked: Henderson (86).

Gillingham line up: Holy, Fuller, Garmston, Lacey, Ehmer, Reilly, Parrett (Hanlan 83), Byrne, O’Neill (Nasseri 71), Parker (List 57), Eaves.

Subs not used: Hadler, Ogilvie, Wilkinson, Rees.

Referee: Mr Martin Coy

Attendance: 2,925 (194 Gills)

Picture supplied by Kent Pro Images