GARY Jones was the man of the moment after a captain's display and two goals ensured Dale's first win of the season against Southend on Saturday.

The skipper, who missed the opening two matches due to his long-term foot problem, returned to the side with a flourish and took just two minutes to open his scoring account.

"It's nice to get onto the winning track after losing our first couple of games," he told Observer Sport. "We worked very hard as a team, especially when we went down to 10 men.

"The second goal took all the pressure off us and it was nice to get nearly 90 minutes in the tank," he added.

As for the penalty which brought his and Dale's second goal, Jones admitted to changing his mind a split second before dispatching the ball into the back of the net.

"I usually put them the other side. I changed my mind at the last minute and thankfully the keeper went the wrong way."

As for his first strike - a 30-yard thunderbolt right out of the top drawer - Jones remained typically modest. "It was a good move between Tait and Holt and it sat up really nicely so I thought I'd just hit it," he said. "To be honest, it absolutely flew in."

Jones' importance to Dale's cause was underlined by manager Steve Parkin after the final whistle. "Gary is influential, there's no doubt about that," he said. "He sets the ball rolling with his enthusiasm."

And the boss was more than impressed with the second-minute opener from his captain. "Whatever brand of football you watch, you won't see a better goal than that. It was good one-touch football, a great lay-back and an incredible finish from distance."

Less pleasing was the sending off of Leo Bertos after a clash with Blues midfielder Mark Bentley. "There is no doubt in my mind Leo wouldn't have reacted in that way if something hadn't have been said. The disappointing thing for me is I lose him for three games now," said Parkin.

"I'm sure he's regretting his actions, no matter what was said to him, not for the fact he may lose a bob or two, but because he'll miss the game against Wolves."

  • DALE'S home match against Yeovil Town on Saturday 9 October has been brought forward a day.

The original kick-off time against the Pilgrims clashes with England's World Cup qualifying game against Wales. The Friday fixture will start at 7.45pm.