After a goalless first-half, the Dale number eight slotted home midway through the second period to get his side back to winning ways.
Jimmy McNulty made one change to the starting eleven from Tuesday’s game at York, as Connor McBride replaced the injured Tyler Smith. There was a welcome return to the matchday squad for Joe Pritchard, who has been missing through injury since August.
Dale created the first chance of the game via a set piece. McBride’s delivery from wide was met by the head of Ethan Ebanks-Landell, who saw his effort well turned wide of the left upright by goalkeeper Pat Nash.
Another set piece led to Kevin Berkoe having two attempts blocked at source, whilst Kyron Gordon and Mani Dieseruvwe sent headers off target.
The visitors had a strong spell in the middle of the half, with an effort from Kiban Rai off target and shots from outside the area by Ryheem Sheckleford and Ryan Hill held by Oliver Whatmuff.
Ryan East drilled a low effort wide of target, and McBride saw a low ball into the area, aimed for Dieseruvwe, well held by Nash, as the game entered the break goalless.
After half-time, Dieseruvwe and Cameron Hargreaves exchanged efforts off target, shortly before the Dale striker saw a low first-time effort well saved by Nash.
Devante Rodney’s well-struck shot from the edge of the area flashed wide, before Dale’s pressure told with the opener in the 65th minute.
Substitute Aidan Barlow received the ball on the half-turn and played in Tobi Adebayo-Rowling on the right. He put in a tantalising low cross which the onrushing Gilmour slammed home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Levi Amantchi came on as a substitute in the final ten minutes and was found by a stunning Sam Beckwith through ball, but his effort was well saved by Nash.
It would prove to be the last chance of the game, as Dale held on for a well-fought three points at the Crown Oil Arena.
Dale XI | Whatmuff, Gordon, East (71’ East), Ebanks-Landell ©, Gilmour, Dieseruvwe (83’ Amantchi), Rodney (71’ Moss), Adebayo-Rowling, McBride (62’ Barlow), Berkoe (62’ Burger), Beckwith.
Unused subs | Pritchard, Henderson.
Scorers | 65’ Gilmour.
Aldershot Town XI | Nash, Hargreaves, Thomas (79’ Ghandour), Jones, Anderson, Rai (79’ Henry), Hill ©, Nightingale, Taylor, Sheckleford, Armitage.
Unused subs | Dewhurst, Jackson, Frost, Tetek, Penney.
Attendance | 2,295 (120 away).
