Fifth Home Defeat Leaves Rovers Reeling

Bristol Rovers slumped to their first ever defeat to Barnet, going down 2-0 to the Londoner's at the Memorial Stadium and heaping pressure on manager Paul Buckle in the process.

Izale McLeod poked in the opener after 19 minutes before Mark Byrne finished the job, curling an effort around Scott Bevan with the final kick of the match.

The squad left the field to a chorus of 'we want Buckle out' from the home support, who are growing ever more tired of their sides inability to break down opposing sides, the manager taking the brunt of the criticism.

Two changes were made from the starting line-up that disposed of Corby in last weekends FA Cup tie; Matt Gill starting in central midfield while Joe Anyinsah replaced Scott McGleish, Chris Zebroski taking the veterans place up front, partnering Matt Harrold.

It was Zebroski who had the first chance on goal, prodding a right footed effort at Dean Brill's near post, though the goalkeeper was able to comfortably hold the ball in his arms.

McLeod's explosive pace was causing problems to the Rovers backline, the Gas lucky to escape without a red card after ten minutes. McLeod looked as though he was in behind after a ball over the top, only to be sent tumbling by last man Gary Sawyer 35 yards from goal, the referee's final decision lenient with the former Plymouth defender.

Matt Harrold headed against an upright from a Gill corner, but with the game an end-to-end affair it was the visitors who struck first with their own set-peice. Mark Byrne sent a corner towards the near post, Mark Hughes flicking the ball on before McLeod had the simple task of nodding over the line from two yards out.

Neither side was able to take a stranglehold on the game, both defences scrambling crosses out of their penalty areas. The only chances came from long range shots, Gill only yards away with one such dig on the turn, though he could only send the ball into the Rovers fans in the Blackthorn End.

Mark Marshall was a constant threat down the Barnet left, and early in the second half he found a yard of space to shoot, his final effort, however, was scuffed wide.

The home team were beginning to gain the ascendancy, yet still found themselves unable to break through. Full backs Danny Woodards and Lee Brown tried their luck from range, neither able to hit the target, while Mustapha Carayol snatched at a long distance strike which eventually bobbled comfortably to Brill.

With twenty minutes to go McGleish replaced Harrold, unfortunately the experienced forward was not to last long, falling heavily and eventually being replaced by Eliot Richards after a lengthy stoppage, leaving the field on a stretcher.

It was Richards who came closest of all to netting Rovers equaliser, hitting a stinging 30 yard half-volley that looked to be dipping goalwards. The back-peddling Brill, however, managed to tip the ball onto the crossbar, denying he youngster what would have been a stunning leveller.

Despite constant late pressure during the seven allocated minutes of stoppage time the gods looked against the Pirates. Sure enough, Byrne ended any hopes of a revival, beating Bevan from the edge of the box, leaving Buckle with the weight of the world on his shoulders as Rovers go into next Saturday's clash with league leaders Southend.