Ronan Hale’s reaction after two goals for Gillingham in their 4-1 away win over Rotherham United

Gillingham striker Ronan Hale admits he’s not been feeling himself recently after a string of injury niggles – but he showed his class on Saturday.

Hale volleyed home an equaliser before converting a penalty as the Gills came from behind to beat Rotherham United 4-1.

The 28-year-old is now on four goals for the season despite an interrupted start to the campaign, having struggled with a nasty ankle injury, a bang to the ribs and a cracked nose.

“It's been tricky for me,” he said. “I had the ankle injury against Tranmere, and then the nose injury reoccurred; I broke it again.

“I haven't been fully myself, and I know that, but I'm still trying to put in the performances, and thankfully I got the two goals to show for it.”

Hale ditched the facemask he wore during the goalless draw against Newport the previous week.

“I didn't have the greatest performance last week so I knew I wasn't wearing it this week,” he said.

“It's actually not too bad, but you know it's on your face so you're constantly trying to fix it.”

A sweet strike from Ronan Hale to put us level.#ActuallyGills | #Gills https://t.co/reALJ1UEvx

Hale didn’t need many chances on Saturday. With his first attempt at goal, he netted with a volley in the 34th minute.

“It was just one I caught nice and sweet,” he said. “I’ll take them all day if they come my way. I'm happy with that, and I was happy with the penalty.

“We hadn't had one this season, so the pressure was on, and I love hitting penalties.

“I went a couple of games without [a goal] and obviously it plays in your mind but once the first one comes it's like buses, another one comes. I'm happy with that and hopefully many more to come.”

Hale had been substituted by the time Tom Eaves scored Gillingham’s fourth