Simeon Jackson brace push Gillingham past Rochdale

A stirring brace by the Jamaica-born Canadian Simeon Jackson spurred Gillingham past Rochdale 2-1 in their League Two play-off semi-final second leg match on Sunday.

Jackson boosted his tally of goals to 20 for the season while steering Gillingham to Wembley for the play-off final.

He scored in the 13th minute and again in the 58th from the penalty spot at KRBS Priestfield Stadium for the Gills to win 2-1 on aggregate. The first leg had ended 0-0.

Jackson, who was in his native Jamaica in November last year for Canada’s World Cup qualifier against the Reggae Boyz, put the Gills in front when he latched onto a cross from the left and scored.

His goal was cancelled by Chris Dagnall’s strike nine minutes before half-time.

Gillingham then won a penalty 13 minutes into the second half when Rory McArdle brought down John Nutter and Jackson stepped up and smashed the ball into the right-hand side of the goal past Rochdale’s goalkeeper Frank Fielding.

The result sent Gillingham into a play-off final at Wembley next Saturday against Shrewsbury.