Bristol Rovers salvage point as in-form Ryan Loft scores late in Exeter City draw

Bristol Rovers stopped the rot as they scored in stoppage time to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw with Exeter City at St James Park.

Ryan Loft scored a 92nd minute header to earn a point after Jevani Brown’s penalty and Sam Nombe’s goal cancelled out John Marquis 62nd-minute opener.

Despite the draw, Rovers remain in 21st and the gap, a point adrift of MK Dons who have a game in hand, whilst 23rd-placed Burton have closed the gap to two points after beating bottom-placed Morecambe.

Marquis on the right-hand side scored on his favourable foot, tapping in from close range for just his second Gas goal after finding space in the six-yard box to be assisted by Aaron Collins.

The Grecians found their way back into the match however as Jack Sparkes drew a foul from Antony Evans. Up stepped Brown who drilled a low penalty past James Belshaw who had guessed the right way but could not keep it out.

Ten minutes from time, Belshaw was caught out as Brown's cross evaded him and Nombe was able to head home into an empty net.

As a fourth consecutive defeat looked to be on the cards, substitute Sylvester Jasper’s cross from the left-hand side was headed in by Loft, to score his fourth goal in five games.

Exeter City (3-4-1-2): Jamal Blackman; Joshua Key, Pierce Sweeney, Alex Hartridge; Jake Caprice, Rekeem Harper, Archie Collins, Jack Sparkes, Jevani Brown; Sam Nombe, Jay Stansfield (Harry Smith, 69)

Goals: Jevani Brown 72 penalty, Sam Nombe 82’

Yellow Cards: Joshua Key 37, Pierce Sweeney 77’

Bristol Rovers (3-4-3): James Belshaw; Lewis Gordon, Bobby Thomas, Luca Hoole; Luke McCormick (Sylvester Jasper, 82), Sam Finley, Jordan Rossiter, Antony Evans; Aaron Collins (Alfie Kilgour, 90+3), Ryan Loft, John Marquis.

Goals: John Marquis 62’

Yellow Cards: Antony Evans 15, Sam Finley 33’