Gillingham leave it late to defeat Rochdale

Posted Sunday, December 29, 2019 by PA

Gillingham claimed their fourth consecutive League One win at Priestfield as Connor Ogilvie’s late goal earned them a 1-0 victory over 10-man Rochdale.

The visitors, who went into the game having lost seven of their last eight matches in League One, threatened after just four minutes when Jimmy Keohane shot wide from 20 yards.

The Gills went on to dominate the remainder of the first half and saw striker Mikael Mandron fire his volley against the post from Olly Lee’s corner after 32 minutes.

A brilliant fingertip save from Jack Bonham prevented 16-year-old Kwadwo Baah from firing the visitors in front on his full league debut five minutes after half-time.

As the hosts’ second-half pressure grew, Alex Jakubiak fired a low shot off the post and Lee drove straight at Robert Sanchez within a minute of each other.

Brandon Hanlan crashed an effort off the underside of the bar 15 minutes from time after outpacing Luke Matheson. Sanchez then produced a smart reaction save to parry the Gills striker’s deflected shot.

However, Ogilvie won the game for Steve Evans’ side four minutes from time, heading in at the far post after Mark Marshall’s cross deflected kindly to him.

Rochdale ended the game with 10 men after MJ Williams picked up two yellow cards within a minute of each other late into stoppage time.