Simeon Jackson celebrates scoring from the penalty spot against Rochdale Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham 2 Rochdale 1

Gillingham booked their place at Wembley after Simeon Jackson struck twice to help beat Rochdale at Priestfield.

Jackson scored a goal in each half to end a thrilling League 2 play-off semi-final in Gillingham’s favour.

It will be the first time the Gills have been to the new Wembley Stadium and they will now meet Shrewsbury for a place in League 1 on May 23.

The first-half ended even after Rochdale cancelled out Simeon Jackson’s early strike, but the Gills striker put his side back ahead just before the hour.

The visitors saw plenty of the ball in the early stages and they had the first chance when Lee Thorpe headed over Tom Kennedy’s cross.

It was the Gills who drew first blood, though, when Andy Barcham’s low cross was steered past keeper Frank Fielding by Jackson on 13 minutes – his first goal from open play since mid-March.

The goal livened the Gills up and Rochdale had to soak up plenty of attacking pressure from the hosts, who were backed by a noisy home support.

Rochdale got back on level terms though when Gillingham failed to clear their lines and Chris Dagnall made space in the box and smashed a shot past keeper Simon Royce.

Gillingham were facing their favoured Rainham End in the second half and they didn’t have long to wait for another goal.

With 58 minutes gone Jackson slotted home his 20 goal of the season from the penalty spot after Rory McArdle had fouled John Nutter.

The Gills came close to extending that lead moments later but Garry Richards’ header bounced off the top of the bar from Nutter’s cross.

There were some nervy moments for Gillingham late on as Rochdale applied the pressure and Royce needed two attempts to catch Ciaran Toner’s corner-kick with 10 minutes left.

McArdle narrowly headed over late on for Rochdale and Dagnall had shouts for a penalty after falling inside the box.

Four nervy minutes of injury time followed and Will Buckley put an effort wide for the visitors.

The Gills hung on and thousands of fans flooded the pitch to celebrate a historic night at Priestfield.

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, Lewis, King, Richards, Jackson (McCammon 90mins), Wright (Bentley 72mins), Oli (Southall 85mins), Weston, Barcham. Subs not used: Julian, Jarrett.

Rochdale: Fielding, Ramsden, Kennedy, Stanton, McArdle, Rundle (Shaw 69mins), Thompson (Buckley 61mins), G Jones, Toner, Dagnall, Thorpe (Le Fondre 69mins). Subs not used: M Jones, Holness.

Attendance: 9,585