Bristol Rovers’ seven game goal drought came to an end on Saturday as the Gas saw off relegation threatened Cheltenham Town at the Completely Suzuki Stadium.
Scott Sinclair opened the scoring inside the opening quarter of an hour, before substitute Brandon Aguilera doubled the Gas’ lead early in the second-half.
Elkan Baggott wrapped up proceedings 10 minutes from time, with an empathic header from a corner, topping off a man of the match performance. However, Darrell Clarke’s men found a consolation goal deep into stoppage time, as substitute Liam Sercombe found his 10th goal of the season
Both managers made wholesale changers from midweek, as Darrell Clarke made six, whilst the visitors made eight.
Rovers started the match the stronger of the two and they were rewarded early on. Luke Thomas on the counter attack played a perfectly timed ball into the channel of Sinclair, who used all of his experience to calmly slot the ball past Luke Southwood, to end the club’s 700 minute goal drought.
Taylor’s side almost scored one of the goals of the season, after brilliant intricate play by Sinclair, Brandon Aguilera and Antony Evans, saw the latter fouled by goal keeper Luke Southwood, subsequently conceding a penalty.
The Gas had a massive chance to double their lead from the spot, but Southwood guessed corrected, as he dived down smartly to his right.
The penalty miss opened the game up, which allowed the Robins to grow into the match. George Lloyd had a couple of chances before the interval, one with his thigh, which narrowly went wide of Matt Cox’s post and the other a free header on half-time, which was comfortably caught by the Brentford loanee.
Taylor’s men started the second period in similar fashion to the first. Thomas was heavily involved once again as he smartly squared the ball to substitute Aguilera, who calmly fired home past the Robins keeper, to score his second goal for the club.
Baggott’s back post header hit the woodwork for the Gas 20 minutes from full-time, as the Ipswich Town loanee got injured in the process, crashing into the advertising boards.
The Indonesian international was able to carry on and found Rovers’ third with his head following an in swinging corner from Harvey Vale, as Rovers breezed to victory.
Cheltenham were able to pull a goal back deep into stoppage time as Matty Taylor teed up Sercombe, who smartly finished past Cox.
The Robins had the ball in the back of the net for the second time, however the lineman flagged offside, securing a much need three points for Taylor’s side.
Victory moved the Gas to 15th, meanwhile the hosts remain firmly in the relegation zone fighting for their lives.
Here is how we thought the players faired in their 3-1 victory in Gloucestershire.
1. GK: Matt Cox - 7
Started in place of Jed Ward and the Brentford loanee was positive and brave in between the sticks. Had a couple of moments where he looked shaky, but overall was solid. Was unable to keep out Cheltenham's consolation.
2. RB: Jack Hunt - 7
A positive match from the full-back. who made plenty of tackles and was a good attacking outlet on the right flank.
3. CB: James Wilson (aubbed off 83') - 8
A solid and professional performance by the veteran. Wilson didn't put a foot wrong all game, was forced off injured 10 minutes from the end. Photo: Tom Dulat
4. CB: Elkan Baggott - 9
Dominated proceedings throughout and was faultless against his former team, scoring a brilliant header. Would have received 10/10, but for Sercombe's late goal.