Gillingham edged a low-key affair at Rochdale with both teams focusing on an immediate re-match in the League Two play-off semi-finals next week.
Dale boss Keith Hill and his Gills counterpart Mark Stimson fielded weakened teams at Priestfield.
The visitors almost scored early on, but Nicky Southall was judged offside.
But the visitors eventually scored when Stuart Lewis found Curtis Weston with a clearing header - and Weston ran from deep inside his own half to score.
Rochdale: Fielding, Wiseman, Holness, McArdle (Ramsden 56), Newey, Thompson (Flitcroft 56), Mark Jones, Gary Jones, Rundle (McEvilly 75), William Buckley, Shaw. Subs Not Used: Byrne, Brown.
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