 He picked up a niggling injury in pre-season, but upon his recovery scored four goals in eight appearances.He scored the first professional hat-trick of his career against Stockport County on 8 January 2011, his contribution helping Gills to a 5–1 away win and expressed his desire to stay at the Kent club.On 21 April 2011, McDonald was named the ESPN PFA Fans' Player of the Year for the Football League Two.