Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth on a fabulous week for stand-in captain Omar Beckles and a debut for Middlesbrough loan defender Jack Daley at Rochdale

Omar Beckles has been dubbed “captain fabulous” by manager Gareth Ainsworth after stepping up in Liam Gordon’s absence.

The experienced defender has worn the armband since Gordon suffered a knee injury in the opening league game against Walsall.

Beckles has helped lead the Gills through an unbeaten run since then, with Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of Rochdale providing their first win of the season.

Gillingham had drawn 0-0 at Fleetwood, followed by sussesive 1-1 draws against Northampton Town and at Chesterfield before producing their best performance of the campaign at Rochdale.

Beckles played his part at both ends, scoring with a poacher’s finish to score Gills’s second at Rochdale.

Ainsworth was delighted with the way the 34-year-old has responded to being handed the captaincy.

He said: “Omar's the leader with the captain’s armband at the moment and I thought [last] week was a real terrific week for him. Really, really showing why we brought him here.”

Injury meant the defender missed the back end of last season, following a move from Leyton Orient. He’s been a mainstay so far this season.

Beckles’ weekend goal was not the type usually associated with the centre-back, but Ainsworth was pleased to see him show his instincts in front of goal, sweeping the ball home.

He said: “Omar's stuck it in like Ronan Hale would or Bradley Dack, who's got those types of finishes, or Lamin Silla. He's usually the big man [from a corner] who's heading it in. I was really pleased.”

Gillingham were tested defensively against Rochdale despite the scoreline.

“He was good,” Ainsworth said. “But we rode our luck [first half] and we forget about the double save that Ollie Wright made halfway through the second. An absolutely phenomenal double