Curtis Weston is congratulated on scoring Gillingham's winner at Rochdale

by Luke Cawdell

Rochdale 0 Gillingham 1

Gillingham head into the League 2 play-offs on form after recording a fourth game without defeat on Saturday.

Curtis Weston’s first half wonder-goal sealed the win at Rochdale in a game that mattered little as both teams had already secured their place in the end of season play-offs.

Curtis’ goal was the highlight of an otherwise forgettable game.

The two teams must now meet again in those semi-finals and Gillingham will take comfort from Saturday’s win at Spotland, where they will travel to in the first leg.

Gills manager Mark Stimson said: "The boys said this week they would like the second game at home and they have gone out and done well.

"We started really brightly and scored a perfect goal and I can’t wait to see it on the video because I can't see how Nicky Southall got beyond the defender and was offside.

"Full credit to Rochdale, after that they put us under the cosh a bit and they will because they have some good attacking players, although they left some out and then we got a decent goal.

"We’re in a decent bit of form at the moment and i am sure whoever puts that shirt on on Thursday will give it everything they’ve got and that’s all I can ask of my players."

The Gills had an unfamiliar look as Stimson opted to rest several of his key men for the match.

Leading scorer Simeon Jackson, defender Simon King, keeper Simon Royce and winger Andy Barcham were all left on the bench.

That gave a chance for the likes of Albert Jarrett and keeper Alan Julian to impress.

Gillingham thought they had taken a second minute lead, as Jarrett’s curling cross was side-footed home by Nicky Southall, but the linesman ruled the effort out for offside.

The Gills had a couple of scares before taking the lead as John Nutter and Nicky Southall both cleared chances off the line.

Weston’s 20 minute opener was a fine solo effort. The midfielder won the ball in the middle of the park, out-stripped the defence, rode a challenge in the area and remained composed enough to slot home past keeper Frank Fielding.

Rochdale’s best chances fell to midfielder Gary Jones but he headed one chance over the bar and Garry Richards got a vital block to a powerful shot.

Gillingham held their lead going into the half-time interval, with midfielder Nicky Southall having a good chance to make it 2-0, but firing well wide.

The second half started at a slower tempo with the first effort on target coming on 65 minutes when Mark Jones’ low free-kick was comfortably gathered by Julian.

The only other efforts of the half saw Julian tip Simon Ramsden’s late effort over the bar and David Flitcroft send an even later shot wide.

Gills: Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Lewis, Richards, Bentley, Oli, Southall, Wright, Weston (Miller 46mins), Jarrett. Subs: Royce, Jackson, Barcham, King.

Rochdale: Fielding, Wiseman, Holness, McArdle (Flitcroft 57mins), Newey, M Jones, G Jones, Rundle (McEvilly 76mins), Buckley, Thompson (Ramsden 57mins), Shaw. Subs: Byrne, Brown.

Attendance: 3,480.