Jordan Roberts got two goals but felt he should have had a third for Gillingham on Saturday.

The Ipswich loan forward netted a goal in each half to put the Gills 2-1 up but they had to settle for a point as Rochdale fought back on Saturday.

Both teams had chances to win it and Roberts could have been taking home the match ball.

Speaking about his chance to hit a hat-trick, Roberts said: “As the play was building up I could see Brandon (Hanlan) had made a run and it opened up a bit, I was on my left foot and I should have done better, at least hit the target.

“I am a bit disappointed with that, but to come away with two goals and my own performance I am happy, but disappointed as well we didn’t take the three points back to Gillingham.”

Reacting to the team performance, he said: “I thought we started okay, the pitch was a bit difficult but we can’t be making excuses.

“We were disappointed not to hold onto the 2-1 lead and come away with the three points and that is what we spoke about at the end.

“The main thing is we didn’t lose, it’s a point on the board and we go again Wednesday.”

Roberts’ opening goal, his first since signing for the Gills, came from an Olly Lee corner.

His second goal came from another set-piece, with Connor Ogilvie’s throw falling into his path from a John Akinde flick.

The forward said: “I knew with Max and John in the box we have a physical presence and opportunities would come. I just had to be patient. I just had to make sure I hit the target with my chances and they both came off.

“I always say, ‘hit the target’ and the keeper either saves and parries it or it goes in, for me both came off and I am happy to get off the mark.

“Now for me I need to kick on and more importantly for the club to get three points on the board in these games.

“We are a big side, with a lot of physical players, good people in the box. Deliveries and set-pieces were spot on (against Rochdale) and we were probably unlucky not to score from a few more, we had a few more chances. We can work on those things.”

Joining Roberts in the attacking third on Saturday was newcomer Akinde, who, like the Ipswich loanee, is looking for more regular action after arriving from Lincoln.

Roberts said: “He is a bit similar to me coming in, he has not played a frequent amount of games, coming from Lincoln. It is about bedding in as quickly as possible.

“When you are thrown in there you have to make an impact and be a presence, like John is. I am sure he will carry on working hard and carry on being a threat. I have seen him before in games and seen how he brings his physical aspect in and will cause trouble to defenders.”

Looking ahead to the visit of Shrewsbury this week, he added: “We are at home and as I have mentioned before, having the crowd behind us can be like the 12th man.

“For us we have come off the back of three draws now (since losing to West Ham in the FA Cup) and if we are going to kick on we need to win games like Saturday and more important on Wednesday night. We will go into the game feeling fresh with a clean mindset and take the game to them.”

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