Gillingham’s survival hopes in League 2 received another boost as their good form continued at troubled Rochdale.

Oli Hawkins put the Gills deservedly ahead in the opening half at Spotland - against a side sitting bottom of the table - and although Dale improved after the break and hit the woodwork through Toby Mullarkey a goal from George Lapslie doubled the lead.

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It’s now five wins from seven for the Gills as they move further away from the bottom two.

Gills manager Neil Harris had the luxury of being able to rotate some of his players at the weekend, bringing in experienced forward Aiden O’Brien for his first start as a replacement Tom Nichols in the eleven.

Shaun Williams was back in midfield to captain the side, after a minor injury, and there was a switch in defence as Cheye Alexander was preferred over David Tutonda. On paper, the changes arguably strengthened the Gills.

Bottom side Rochdale - boasting just one win in their last six games - were up against a Gills side sitting top of the form table.

The Gills had a number of good chances in the first 45 minutes as Hawkins and O’Brien kept the home defence on their toes.

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Dale goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell saved with his feet to deny Dom Jefferies and only a last-ditch challenge from Ethan Ebanks-Landell stopped George Lapslie from scoring.

Williams fired wide from distance for the Gills and Scott Quigley did likewise for the hosts before the deadlock was broken.

A throw-in from Robbie McKenzie was played back to him and from his cross, Hawkins was handily placed when the ball dropped to his feet from a defensive header.

Rochdale had a couple of half chances but were booed off at the break by the home crowd, with cries of “useless” coming from the home section. Gills had gone close to doubling their advantage before half-time. Goalkeeper O’Donnell went off injured but not before stretching to turn Lapslie’s effort wide while O’Brien couldn’t get a decent shot off from another chance inside the box.

Gillingham should have been holding onto a more comfortable lead at the break.

Quigley forced a save from Gills keeper Morris after being played in by Abraham Odoh after a stop-start beginning of the second half. The hosts looked to freshen things up with a triple change on the hour mark, the locals cheering the substitution of their captain Ebanks-Landell but less keen to see Lloyd replaced.

The Gills came under a bit of pressure and Morris had to tip a deep cross from Toby Mullarkey onto his crossbar, watching as it bounced back onto the woodwork again before going out of play.

Substitute Liam Kelly fired wide for the hosts

A fine challenge from Robbie McKenzie stopped Odoh in his tracks as he ran in on goal from a long ball forward and moments later the Gills struck again, as they surged forward. Gills substitute Nichols created the chance, bursting into the box and rolling a shot towards the far corner. Lapslie spotted a chance and timed his run perfectly in behind the defence to side-foot home.

For the second game running Lapslie and Hawkins had got Gills’ winning goals.

A fine late challenge from Conor Masterson ensured there would be no late dramas as Ian Henderson almost got in on goal.

Rochdale: O’Donnell (Eastwood 43mins), Ebanks-Landell (Kelly 60mins), Odoh, Keohane (Seriki 60mins), Bennett, Quigley (Mellor 79mins), Diagouraga, Dodgson, Lloyd (Rodney 60mins), Mullarkey, Henderson. Subs not used: Taylor, Campbell.

Gillingham: Morris, Alexander, McKenzie, Masterson, Ehmer, Williams, Dieng, Jefferies (Tutonda 79mins), Lapslie (MacDonald 88mins), O’Brien (Nichols 64mins), Hawkins. Subs not used: Turner, Wright, Abrahams, Gbode.

Referee: Marc Edwards

Attendance: 2,742 (340 away)