Gillingham manager Steve Lovell hailed the performance of his match-winning skipper Lee Martin.

Martin volleyed home Saturday’s winning goal against Rochdale on 63 minutes at Priestfield, to complete the turnaround after the Gills had initially gone behind.

“I keep saying, he works so hard and is a true professional,” said the Gills boss.

“He keeps the boys going, he loves the game of football and he loves winning. You can’t have too many of them in your team.

“It was a great finish with his left foot, a good goal and one deserved to win the game. I am very pleased for him.

“I am pleased for all of them, all the boys, what they have done in the time we have been here has been phenomenal. They have taken on board what we have tried to do and we have come through some bad times, now we are enjoying some good times.

“We have to make sure those good times stay level.”

It was Bradley Garmston who levelled the scores, firing home a free-kick just before the break, set up by Martin.

“I am pleased for the pair of them,” said Lovell. “Bradley has had a tough time of it with injuries and it was nice for him to get a goal.”

Garmston’s last goal came in October 2015, in the a Football Trophy match against Yeovil Town. His only other league goal for the Gills came in February 2015, against MK Dons.