Keynsham and Bristol Academy handed tough cup tests

Keynsham Town Ladies will continue their record breaking Women's FA Cup run with a home tie against Premier League leaders Sunderland.

The Lady Ks thrashed Sheffield 5-2 at Crown Field on Sunday to make it into the last sixteen for the first time in their history. Naomi Clipston, Kayleigh Sage and a Leanne Lapham penalty put Town three goals up on their Premier League North opponents, though Jodie Michalska pulled two back for Sheffield to put the game on a knife edge. Keynsham rode out the storm, however, Polly Wardle and Ashley Reinecke adding the gloss to the final score, allowing Lapham's miss from her second spot kick to go unpunished.

The cup success will come as welcome respite to Town, who are currently battling relegation from the Premier League South, one half of the third tier of the women's game in England. They currently sit one place above the drop zone on goal difference.

Sunderland have previous in the cup, reaching the final in 2009, and will prove a hefty obstacle for Keynsham's slim quarter-final hopes. Currently, the Black Cats top the Premier League's national division and are revered as the strongest team outside of the top flight Women's Super League, having also claimed the Premier title last term.

The region's only WSL team, Bristol Academy, will also be involved, having been given a bye to the fifth round. The Vixens were also handed a home tie, Leeds United the opposition scheduled to visit the Stoke Gifford Stadium and open Academy's 2012 competitive campaign.

Despite their status as one of the eight semi-professional Super League clubs, progression will be no simple task for the 2011 finalists; Leeds are just three points off Sunderland at the top of the Premier League and have not lost since facing the table toppers in December.

The potential reward for Academy reaching a second consecutive final will not just be the glory of a showpiece national event, as this year's final is being held at Ashton Gate.

Bath based Larkhall Athletic will look on at the draw in envy, as they were unable to repeat their vanquishing of Tottenham in the previous round, falling 3-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Withdean Stadium yesterday. Had they produced another upset against a third tier club, a trip to WSL Chelsea would have been their reward.

All ties are pencilled in to be played on Sunday, March 11th. The full draw is as follows:

Bristol Academy v Leeds United
Barnet v Doncaster Rovers Belles
Charlton Athletic v Blackburn Rovers
Lincoln Ladies v Arsenal
Birmingham City v Liverpool
Manchester City v Everton
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
Keynsham Town v Sunderland

Defences hold firm in trapdoor tussle

This was a result that neither side wanted, but both would take. Defeat for either Plymouth Argyle or Dagenham and Redbridge would have put a sizable dent into their quest to avoid the fall off the Football League precipice, but nobody was about to relinquish any ground at Home Park.

It was a frustrating afternoon for everyone involved, the players who had been training in the hope of grasping a season changing win, and the fans, for whom the match had been billed as the biggest of the season. In hindsight, after Saturday's dour displays, it should simply have been the biggest of the season yet.

It was the home side, unbeaten in three and coming off the back of a morale boosting 4-0 win at Accrington, who edged an even first half, before running much of the second, striking the left-hand upright twice within a minute.

The game was low on quality and high on ball trajectory, containing all the hallmarks of a match between two teams fighting for their lives, a scenario that Pilgrims boss Carl Fletcher had predicted in the build up:

"We knew it was going to be scrappy," said the rookie manager. "We spoke all week that we were going to have to earn the right to play and scrap away, and that it was going to be an ugly game.

"We were well aware what was coming and that we had to be patient and, to be fair, the lads have done everything but score a goal. We had three great chances in the first half, hit the post in the twice in the second half and the keeper has pulled off a couple of saves."

But, above all, Fletcher defined the synopsis for his battling squad: "It was vital that we didn't lose; that was a big one for us."

Trepidation was the word of the day and fractured nerves were on show, Maxime Blanchard gave away an early free kick after fouling Jon Nurse 25 yards out; Matt Saunders shot from the resultant dead ball too weak to really trouble Argyle custodian Jake Cole

Nick Chadwick had the first notable effort from open play, blazing over with a sweeping shot following a low cross from the right, owing to a frustrating opening period for the bullish striker who, along with partner Alex MacDonald, found the assistant referee's flag the most challenging opponent.

The advertising hoardings behind either goal were seeing more of the ball than the keepers gloves, Greens captain Paul Wotton dragging a long range drive off target, Nurse failing to get enough purchase on his header, glancing Damien McCrory's left-wing cross wide of the goal for the Daggers.

With the break swiftly approaching, Conor Hourihane wasted the best opportunity of the lot for the Pilgrims. In a situation similar to Chadwick's early profligate strike, the Irish midfielder produced the same end result, skying the ball into the swathes of empty seats between the home and away fans, all the while under little defensive pressure.

When referee Dean Whitestone blew to resume the game, Argyle began to take the initiative. Within seconds of the restart Hourihane had another chance to put the Devon club into the lead, though his final shot was hit straight at debutant Jonathan Bond.

Brian Woodall's effort soared into his own fans at the other end, but it proved only seconds of respite as Ashley Hemmings and Robbie Williams both tried their luck for Plymouth, though their gambles did not pay off.

Each side made only two of their allotted substitutions, but it was Argyle's Luke Daley who had the biggest impact. He and Marcus Bignot attempted to work a move on the right-hand side of the penalty area, and though Dagenham broke it up, the ball squirmed into Daley's path, catching the visiting defence on the back foot and almost resulting in the lead, the wingers prod cannoning off the post.

Not 50 seconds had passed before the woodwork was rattling again. Williams, running on to a half cleared corner, could not have caught his left foot drive any sweeter, though neither could it have hit the post more emphatically.

Bond still had to be on hand to tip two further long range strikes round the post - MacDonald and Williams the players once again denied - the game finally petering out with a host of free kicks during the four minutes of stoppage time, leaving both teams frustrated, but Dagenham feeling slightly better of the two, even though they remain the team propping up the Football League.

John Still underlined Plymouth's recent results, while also sticking to his philosophy on playing the game.

"They've been on a decent run of form and they're a big club, regardless of their league position," said Still, "but we stuck at it and worked hard."

"They had two good efforts in the second half that hit the post without putting us under any sustained pressure. We never try to draw, the changes we made were to bring on attacking players. We want to remain positive."

Bristol Academy Confirm Fixtures

Bristol Academy have all but finalised their fixture list for the upcoming Women's Super League season, starting and finishing their campaign on Merseyside.

The Vixens begin with a trip to face Liverpool on Sunday, April 8th and will hope to set a precedent to the rest of the league against the side that finished bottom of the inaugural WSL season in 2011, claiming just a single victory in the process.

Stoke Gifford Stadium's opening league fixture will see Academy square off with Lincoln Ladies on April 21st, a 6PM kick to avoid a clash with Bristol City's final home game of the season against Barnsley.

Chelsea will be the final visitors to the Filton College's WISE campus in the penultimate league fixture on September 22nd before the season finishes away to Everton, kicking off at 2PM on October 7th. The only match yet to be arranged is the visit to Lincoln.

Monday also saw the draw for the second edition of the Continental Cup, which will feature all eight of the Super League clubs. Academy were drawn into group one of the new look format, converting from the straight knockout tournament played following the completion of the 2011 season.

Doncaster Rovers Belles will host the Vixens, who fell at the first hurdle to Lincoln last term, three weeks before the league matches begin. Birmingham will visit Bristol while a trip to Everton is also on the cards; the top two sides in each group moving into September's semi-finals.

Following the FA's announcement that this year's Women's FA Cup final will be held at Ashton Gate, Mark Sampson's team will also harbour ambitions of reaching a second consecutive final in their home city, having lost the 2011 showpiece 2-0 to Arsenal at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

The club will enter at the fifth round stage, where they will hope to avoid their top flight rivals, most likely playing on March 11th.

Pre-season training continues for the squad, who followed up their opening win over Tottenham with a ruthless 10-0 thrashing of Plymouth Argyle on Sunday.

The full fixture list can be seen below, with home games shown in bold:

11.03.12 - Women's FA Cup 5th Round (TBA)
17/18.03.12 - Doncaster Rovers Belles - Continental Cup Round 1
08.04.12 - Liverpool - 2PM
21.04.12 - Lincoln - 6PM
29.04.12 - Birmingham City - 2PM
06.05.12 - Chelsea - 2PM
12/13.05.12 - Birmingham City - Contiental Cup Round 2
19.05.12 - Doncaster Rovers Belles - 6PM
26.05.12 - Women's FA Cup Final (Ashton Gate)
30.05.12 - Arsenal - 7.15PM
9/10.06.12 - Everton - Contiental Cup Round 3
23.06.12 - Everton - 6PM
07.07.12 - Birmingham City - 6PM
18.08.12 - Liverpool - 6PM
30.08.12 - Arsenal - 7.45PM
09.09.12 - Doncaster Rovers Belles - 2PM
22.09.12 - Chelsea - 6PM
07.10.12 - Everton - 2PM
TBA - Lincoln

Second half double seals Rovers win

Just as the Bristol Rovers squad deserve praise for their 2-1 victory over Morecambe on Saturday, the Memorial Stadium ground staff deserve their own acclaim for beating the freezing West Country temperatures and making sure the match went ahead.

Head groundsman Richard Allsworth and his team worked throughout the nights building up to the game to keep an eye on the playing surface. Both frost and rain covers protected the turf, while hot air blowing heaters aided the efforts to keep the pitch supple for the Lancastrians visit.

Their labours were duly rewarded as the Pirates pushed on from a dour first half performance to send Jim Bentley's charges on the four hour return journey with nothing to bare.

The game finally opened up in the 57th minute, Lee Brown tapping in from close range; Scott McGleish making it two with a penalty. Substitute Kevin Ellison thrashed in a late goal which, despite continuous late pressure from the visitors, ended as nothing more than a consolation.

It could have been a very different game had Morecambe made their first half forays into the Rovers penalty area count, journeyman forward Jason Price scuffing a shot after just 30 seconds following a defensive lapse.

Phil Jevons, the subject of derisive howls from the home support due to his association with their cross-city rivals, was the next to threaten the hosts' goal. Cian Bolger mistimed a header, allowing Jevons to rush in and clip an effort over the indecisive Michael Poke, though he was left in visible anguish as his shot struck the right hand upright.

Pirates skipper Matt Gill blazed a thumping volley over the top as his side attempted to gain a foothold in the match.

McGleish forced Chris Kettings into a full stretch save, pushing the ball onto the post, before Gill wasted another opportunity, hitting wide after the visiting custodian fumbled when challenged by the boisterous McGleish.

There was an increase in quality from the off in the second half, most notably from the home side who switched from 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation, bringing the desired effect soon enough.

Eliot Richards, a first half replacement for Joe Anyinsah, went on a marauding run down the right flank, cutting inside and beating three defenders in one move. The 20 year old proceeded to send a teasing low cross goalwards, Matt Harrold flicking the ball towards the back post where Brown was on hand to emphatically hammer into the roof of the net from a yard out.

Fifteen minutes from time the lead went from one to two via the penalty spot. Rovers broke and former Shrimper Craig Stanley played debutant substitute Matthew Lund into the penalty area, the Stoke loanee turning back on Danny Carlton, only to be dragged down by the arm.

Despite missing his previous spot kick in an FA Cup tie with Aston Villa, McGleish kept his cool to slam home his ninth goal of the season, his first as a starting player since November.

Looking to see out the match, the home side were playing five in midfield, but none of the quartered quintet were at fault for the Morecambe goal. Cian Bolger swiped at fresh air, allowing Jordan Burrow to sprint towards Poke who saved his initial drive, but could do no more than parry it into the path of Ellison to ruthlessly thunder a goal back.

It was Ellison who came closest to claiming an undeserved point for the travellers, unleashing a stinging volley that Poke had to be one hand to tip over the bar, sending the ground staff away with an unseasonably warm feeling inside.

Sessegnon settles north-east derby

THE only true blip on Martin O'Neill's start to life in charge of Sunderland was the failure to finish of local rivals Middlesbrough in the FA Cup barely two weeks ago, especially as the original fourth round tie was played at the home that could easily be redubbed 'The Fortress of Light'. The rectification at the Riverside on Wednesday night in a Tees-Wear derby that huffed and puffed but failed to provide any true quality will be satisfactory for the Northern Irishman.

The fact that the first game finished 1-1 was a disappointment among a set of supporters that have been on an almost opiate high, more pertinently because of the denial of a perfectly good goal by a poor piece of judgement from a linesman.

This replay, settled by Stephane Sessegnon's strike in the 23rd minute of extra time, puts Sunderland into a last-16 tie with Arsenal in just a couple of weekends time. The Beninese attacker's goal was required to finish of a plucky Boro, who had drawn level through Lucas Jutkiewicz in the second half, following Jack Colback's stunning opener.

With the in-form Black Cats desperately chasing the unlikely top six finish that would grant a Europa League spot, a run to a Wembley final could provide O'Neill's charges with a berth in continental competition come next term.

Middlesbrough started the game compact and fluent, looking to work Sunderland out of the tie, but remaining wary of their opponents' Premiership quality, though neither side's final product was worthy of creating a derby hero. Julio Arca, an adopted son of north-east football, wastefully shot at Simon Mignolet from a perplexing angle for Boro; January loan signing Jutkiewicz's effort flying closer to the South Stand roof than it did towards the Belgian's goal in the opening exchanges.

The home team continued to push and a fairly innocuous free kick almost produced the opener. A woefully timed defensive header allowed Seb Hines to stretch for a volley, forcing the Sunderland custodian into an impressive reaction stop.

That's not to write O'Neill's on-song team out of the script, it's just that they weren't producing any drama. When the Black Cats did possess a momentary threat, it was soon wiped out by effortful defending; Sessegnon flicking the ball into Michael Turner's path, only for the London-born defender to dawdle, allowing Matthew Bates to fly in with a block to maintain the parity.

And yet, despite their lacking edge, Middlesbrough were right to remain cagey of the Premier League class. John O'Shea sent a high ball onto Fraizer Campbell's head, the 24 year-old nodding the ball down for Colback to control and hit a magnificent swerving volley onto the angle of post and crossbar and into the net.

It wasn't a lead that Sunderland truly deserved, though neither were Boro worthy of an advantage themselves. Still, it proved the spark for an entertaining finish to first half proceedings, the Championship side refusing to take their bow without a fight. Phil Bardsley was forced to throw himself feet first at a sweetly struck Tony McMahon drive, while Mignolet was similarly required to leave the ground, pushing Curtis Main's stinging effort wide of his right-hand post.

Where the first half had given the visitors a goal against the run of play, the second spun 180 degrees; the hosts finding a reply with just over 30 minutes to go as Jutkiewicz volleyed into the bottom corner after Main's flying header dropped invitingly for the ex-Everton youngster. The gleeful look on Jutkiewicz's face as he celebrated in front of the home end was not only down to the equaliser itself, but for the release of tension that came with his first goal since signing on loan from Coventry, after four goalless appearances in a red shirt.

Sunderland slowly worked their way back into the half, almost snatching the lead back through Phil Bardsley, only to see the right back's shot cannon off the post with Jason Steele in the Middlesbrough goal flying despairingly for the unreachable ball.

Three second half substitutes did not provide Boro with the impetus to take the game in normal time, the seats at either end receiving a peppering from the frustratingly inaccurate forward lines. The moronic pair of pitch invaders, one of whom seemingly attempted to slide tackle Justin Hoyte, proving the only vaguely newsworthy point as the game limped into extra time.

It was one of those subs, namely Marvin Emnes, who could and, certainly in the eyes of the home support, probably should have given Middlesbrough the lead, but his shot from fourteen yards was charged down after Hoyte had burst past Kieran Richardson to lay the ball into his path.

The Dutchman's dallying proved costly as, with just seven minutes remaining, Sessegnon provided the decisive blow, sweeping a finish past Steele to secure the home tie with Arsenal on February 18th, with the added bonus of a fourth live game on ITV in as many matches in this season's FA Cup.

Bleazard and Sherwood depart Academy

In the build-up to the 2012 FAWSL season, Bristol Academy have suffered two further losses to their playing squad; midfielders Helen Bleazard and Katie Sherwood leaving the West Country to join rivals Chelsea.

The departures compound a frustrating close-season that has also seen Dutch international star Anouk Hoogendijk return home to former club FC Utrecht, following just a single season in England's top flight.

The trio's migration will leave a gaping hole across the Academy midfield - winger Bleazard was an ever-present in the 2011 Super League campaign while Hoogendijk missed just a single game. Coupled with the international experience all three possess, the Vixens have lost a major part of the successful midfield that helped the club into their debut FA Cup final and European adventure in 2011.

Villa see off Rovers in dour tie

Given the tumultuous nature of the past week and their disastrous season thus far, Bristol Rovers could be forgiven for a lack of emotion at being knocked out of the FA Cup, not least with their Football League status on the line. What will not improve the mood around the north of the City was the way the club slinked out at the third round stage - without a whimper.

Manager Paul Buckle was turfed out of the Memorial Stadium club on Tuesday, having barely been in charge for seven months, leaving the Pirates 19th in League 1. The job for his replacement will be staving off a second consecutive relegation, this time to the oblivion of the Conference, though if they were watching this match, the realisation of the task lying in their wait will have hit them.

At least Alex McLeish was still in the dugout for the travelling Midlanders, despite his less than smooth ride since crossing the second city to Villa Park; he will be thankful that this potential banana skin didn't provide any further bumps, despite the bobbly turf his side had to acclimatise to. Such was the will the Scot put into claiming victory here, a near full strength Villa eleven waded out into the Rovers' bog.

The hosts bright start belied the negative display that followed, Chris Zebroski lacking power with an effort that Brad Guzan collected at his feet in the opening exchanges.

Emile Heskey's fitness had been in question leading up to the match, but he nevertheless took up the familiar number 18 shirt, and would have put the Villains ahead after connecting with a corner were it not for Michael Poke's fingertips. Before long, however, the visitors began to take a stranglehold on the game, eventually taking the lead through Marc Albrighton.

Stiliyan Petrov provided a through ball of Premier League quality, Albrighton running in behind off-guard Rovers captain Gary Sawyer and striking the ball between the legs of Poke for the lead.

With one man up top, the Pirates rarely looked like threatening an equaliser, Zebroski producing the best attempt at levelling the scores, though Guzan made the relatively straightforward catch look a tad dramatic.

The seven time cup winners had opportunities to double their advantage, Stephen Warnock shanking a forceful drive with acres of marshland in space, much to the glee of the Gasheads in the home end.

Rovers started the second half with a similar verve to the first, Joe Anyinsah forcing his way to the dead-ball line and pulling back for veteran forward Scott McGleish, his swipe at the ball finding nothing but the chilly West Country air.

Soon enough the visitors settled back into a rhythm, clocking up a fair wedge of the possession along the way, though this was mainly due to the home teams lack of pressure and seeming fear to challenge the ball carrier.

With Rovers gradually being forced back towards their own penalty area the second goal became an inevitability for Villa, substitute Gabriel Agbonlahor eventually breaking their resolve, shrugging off Cian Bolger in midfield and placing his final effort into the bottom corner from outside the box.

If the game wasn't already over, Ciaran Clark made sure of a safe passage through to the fourth round, driving towards the penalty area unchallenged before bamboozling two defending Rovers with a series of stepovers and beating Poke with another sublimely simple finish.

Only then did the Pirates break free of their shackles, thanks in part to a helping hand from Richard Dunne. The Irishman, totally unsighted, looped a backpass towards Guzan, turning round in surprise to find McGleish lurking on the edge of the area. The 37 year old proceeded to lob the Villa custodian in two touches for a thoroughly undeserved consolation.

Spurred on by their lucky break, it was only then that the hosts began to attack in numbers, Warnock conceding a penalty for handball, allowing McGleish, scorer of 246 career goals to add further respectability to the scoreline. Guzan, who was in no way at fault for the first, refused to be beaten a second time, rounding off his night with a satisfying save from the weak spot kick, seeing Villa through to the last 32 with only five minutes of fuss.

It's okay, Gasheads, you can open your eyes now

Few Rovers fans could hide the grin that spread from ear to ear once they had read the latest update from the club's official Twitter feed on Tuesday evening.

"BREAKING NEWS: Paul Buckle has been relieved of his duties," there may be some hope for the club yet.

For the majority of Gasheads, it had been a long time coming. The clubs slump from the safety of League 1 towards the foot of the basement division over the past season and a half has made for horrific viewing, but what made it all the more cringeworthy was the sideshow that had developed around Buckle.

Upon his appointment, there was a new life breathed into a club that had gasping for air like a drowning rat. The pre-season campaign was comprised of exhilarating attacking football, not seen at Rovers for many years, I even wrote a number of articles praising his approach and the tactics he employed. How wrong it proved to be.

All the furore that surrounded those results seems a long, long time ago, as things went wrong within a few of weeks of the league season kicking off.

It wasn't just the fact that the team was being beaten, it was the manner of the defeats. Rovers have conceded three or more goals on seven occasions in League 2 thus far, including home games against Cheltenham and Port Vale.

Team selection is an area where every armchair fan believes they can outdo their manager, that is so often true at any club, but with Buckle, the mistakes seemed fairly obvious to the thousands of unqualified Mourinho's within the Memorial Stadium. Chris Zebroski is the case in point for this; the man is a striker, yet he was continually played out on the wing.

He has the pace to be a wideman; it's his skill, or lack of, that lets him down when played on the flanks. His one and only method of beating his man comes straight out of the David Pipe handbook: push it ten yards down the line and use your outright speed to get there before the fullback. Unfortunately, his crossing ability is also reminiscent to that of the Welshman, while I won't go so far as to compare his temperament and distinct lack of hair.

That's not to spread a dislike for Zebroski, his physicality and pace offer a threat to centre backs and he can be a key player for the season to come, though only if he starts up front. Similarly notable incidents include playing Scott McGleish out wide, Gary Sawyer in the centre of defence for a sustained period and, in his last game and a half, Eliot Richards in the centre of midfield.

It's as though Buckle was using Scrabble tiles to play Connect 4. 'Quiz' may score you 22 points on a Scrabble board, but it will earn you nothing on the league table.

It was the game against the Valiants that proved the turning point for many supporters, the players and staff left the field to a chorus of boos after a listless performance that culminated in a 3-0 defeat. What occurred afterwards, however, made up the majority's minds.

Rumours abounded amongst internet forums that, once back in the dressing room, Buckle had slammed Bristolians as '****s'. This was leaked out from within the club and, while never confirmed until a Bristol Evening Post article the day after the 41 year old's sacking, set fans against the manager for good, as well as getting the board of directors' backs up.

There is a line of argument that what is said in the heat of the moment within the sanctity of the changing rooms should be taken with a pinch of salt, but to come out with such a comment when you are already under an inordinate amount of pressure was moronic to say the least.

It was not the first time Buckle's attitude had come up against him; throughout his post-match interviews he appeared overtly arrogant. Very rarely did he admit to his own mistakes, often creating a raft of excuses as to why his side had failed, and generally coming across as smug to the point he believed the sun shone from within one of his own orifices. No-one is quite sure which, but it certainly helped to keep his tan topped up.

This egotistical persona created ruptures within the dressing room; Jo Kuffour left on loan to Gillingham after being left out of the squad for a Carling Cup game, a decision Buckle claimed to make after the striker told him his head wasn't in the right place. The ex-Bournemouth striker's parting shot countered this version of events, though that was only given minor coverage compared to the high profile fall out with fans favourite Stuart Campbell.

The pair played out a war of words through the local media, eventually, chairman Nick Higgs was forced to come in and settle the matter like the proverbial weary parent driving the car. Campbell never made another appearance in a quartered shirt before being released, meaning that Gasheads never got the chance to say goodbye to their former captain, manager and club stalwart for seven-and-a-half years, the anti-Buckle sentiment growing inextricably.

He remained at the club over the festive season, however, despite a 4-1 mauling at Gillingham, where he had claimed his charges had been on top for periods of the game, not that any of the travelling fans had seen domination of any form.

At 2-0 up come the half time whistle on Boxing day against Plymouth, one of the few sides left beneath Rovers, it looked as though Santa had brought Buckle some salvation for Christmas, only for the manager to throw it away the very next day. Argyle mounted an epic fightback, snatching an injury time winner to leave the gaffers position almost untenable, though the final step was taken soon enough.

The 5-2 humbling at the Mem by an average Crewe side made up the board's mind, even though he was left in charge for the Bank Holiday loss at Barnet. It was against the Alex that the manager appeared to finally lose his marbles, using all three substitutions at half time, including the goalkeeper and centre back Byron Anthony, with the Pirates 4-1 down.

But it's all over now, there finally seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. When that light steps out onto the Memorial Stadium turf remains to be seen, but Toni Watola, the club's financial director, announced to Points West that it would be 'seven to ten days'.

Gary Johnson's name has been banded about, after he refused to deny that he would apply for the job when asked on live TV, around an hour after the sacking was confirmed, though the smirk on his face gave away his vulture-like intentions to jump straight onto Buckle's still warm corpse.

The former Bristol City boss would be a brave choice for the board, given the 56 year old's history with Rovers. After his last two managerial appointments, any attempt by Higgs to make a move so gallant, will most likely rear calls for him to ride his white horse into the sunset if it all goes belly up.

Whoever takes the spot in the dugout deserves a medal for grasping the seemingly poisoned chalice, there is a huge task ahead of them, not just in terms of sustaining Football League status, but also in repairing the fractious state the club finds itself in.

Careless Mistakes Costly For Luckless Rovers

Rovers hapless holiday period was compounded with a 2-0 defeat away to relegation rivals Barnet in North London.

The Pirates wasted numerous chances at the end of the first period before capitulating at the end of the second; Izale McLeod's 15th of the season and Clovis Kamdjo bagging the points that bring the Bees level on points with Rovers.

Sunday's loan signings, goalkeeper Michael Poke and central defender Aaron Downes both took up immediate places in the starting 11 while Eliot Richards replaced Joe Anyinsah, playing in a central midfield role alongside Andy Dorman in Paul Buckle's 4-1-4-1 formation.

The manager's situation continues to look extremely precarious, with just two points taken from the last possible 24. The only two victories since October have come against non-league opposition in the FA Cup, but with Premier League Aston Villa coming up on Saturday, the cup run appears odds on to end.

Once the Gas fell behind on 69 minutes, the calls for the Buckle's head began ringing out from the travelling fans yet again, the mood amongst supporters leaving Buckle's position increasingly untenable.

The home side created the bulk of the first halves chances, though their profligate shooting prevented any breakthrough - Mark Marshall's swinging left foot sending the ball over the roof of Underhill's South Stand.

Poke, playing his first competitive game since August 2010, looked confident throughout the game, adeptly dealing with numerous crosses into his penalty area while also smothering the ball at the onrushing feet of McLeod.

Even though they had been under the cosh for much of the game, it was Rovers who ended the first period on top; captain-for-the-day Gary Sawyer testing Dean Brill's reactions with a forceful drive, which was only kept out by the former Luton keeper's fingertips.

Downes was then inches wide from a Mustapha Carayol corner; the winger's centre flew towards the far post, but the grey-haired centre back was unable to divert the ball past Brill.

When the players re-emerged from the tunnel for the second half, Matt Harrold was not among them, Scott McGleish, who spent over three years at Barnet earlier in his career, the replacement. The under-fire Buckle, however, retained the tactics from the first half.

Richards twice burst from midfield, but failed to net a fifth goal of the season with either attempt.

Minutes later the young Welshman was floored after Danny Senda attempted to kick clear a head high ball, catching Richards in the process. Unfortunately, referee Lee Collins waved away calls for a penalty before stopping play just seconds afterwards for Richards to receive treatment.

The Gas, now attacking down the infamous Underhill slope, then had the opportunity they had been waiting for, Chris Zebroski's pace allowing him to run free of a clutch of orange shirts. Left one-on-one with Brill, the 25 year old was unable to hit the back of the net, Brill falling to his left and clutching the striker's shot.

Soon enough the home side broke the deadlock, League 2 top scorer McLeod the inevitable source. Poke played a high ball upfield which was sent back by a Barnet touch towards Downes and Cian Bolger. Neither player took control of the situation, allowing the ball to bounce between them, where McLeod's fleet feet left them for dead.

The ball was still bouncing and the on-loan stopper darted off his line to lessen the angle, only to see McLeod dink the final shot over his head for the opener, meaning the forward is now three clear at the top of the fourth tier scoring charts.

The arrival of Joe Anyinsah, in place of Craig Stanley, made no impact on the game and, with ten minutes still to run, Barnet put the game beyond Rovers.

The Bees won a corner, which was taken short to Ricky Holmes. With the visiting defence caught off guard, the frontman advanced down the byline and laid the ball off for Kamdjo to thump over the line and add to Gashead's world of misery.

Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Hereford United: Chadwick Pen Earns Pilgrims A Point

Two late red cards marred a feisty relegation tussle between Plymouth Argyle and Hereford United, Nick Chadwick's late penalty rescuing a point for the Greens at Home Park.

The point keeps Argyle off the bottom of the table, though gaffer Carl Fletcher felt a more consistent performance could have resulted in three points.

"At times, in the first half, we were okay; at times we weren't. In the second half, we weren't and then we were. So it was up and down.

"Overall, I'm disappointed we didn't win at home because we want to win every home game we play but it's another big case that we didn't lose today.

"After going a goal behind, we came back well and possibly could have won, but, in terms of what we're looking at and what we want, it wasn't fully there."

The opening period was a largely drab affair, Chadwick forced Bulls stopper Adam Bartlett into a fine save early on, Yoann Arquin's spectacular scissor kick flashing inches wide for Hereford.

Durrell Berry looked on in horror after he sliced Delroy Facey's centre towards his own goal, the crossbar sparing the 19 year old's blushes.

67 minutes in, however, the travelling support did have something to cheer. Harry Pell found yards of space in the final third and burst into the penalty area, cutting the ball back for on loan Blackpool winger Tom Barkhuizen to give United the lead.

The Pilgrims were fighting hard for a way back into the game and were rewarded when Nicky Featherstone clattered substitute Warren Feeney in the area, former Bull Chadwick converting the 81st minute penalty.

Michael Townseend's crass fould ended Ashley Hemmings forthright run, earning the defender a second yellow card.

Feeney had two late opportunites to snatch the full quotient of points for the home side; initially forcing Adam Bartlett into an outstanding full-stretched save before sending a swivelling volley into the Green Army behind the goal.

Darren Purse still found the time to receive Argyle's ninth red card of the season after a dreadfully mistimed slide on Nathan Elder, though the 26 year old's breakdancing antics made the challenge look worse than it actually was.
Hereford boss Jamie Pitman left with his frustration increased following the low points return his side have garnered from their last few games, despite positive displays.

"We go into every game wanting to win it but obviously it was a big game given where both teams are in the league.

"Our last three performances previous to this one have not given us the rewards we have probably deserved.

"Today was another such case. To be fair to them, they have had a few chances but I think we were good value for the win."

On Song Gills Leave Rovers Crooning

Danny Kedwell netted two goals from the penalty spot as Gillingham continued their fine run of form, storming to a 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.

Andy Hessenthaler's side remain unbeaten in all of their eight games since the end of October, a sequence that has propelled the Kent side into the final League 2 play-off place and set up a third round FA Cup tie with Stoke.

The Gill's boss was pleased with the performance of his players in the emphatic win.

"I'm very happy, it was a good performance," Hessenthaler told the media. "We had tempo, desire and set the tone to get the crowd behind us.

"We thoroughly deserved to win the game, I'm absolutely delighted and once their lad got sent off we just saw the game out.

"We plugged away, and although it was a bit disruptive with [Andy] Frampton going off we tried to play in the right way and got the second goal at the right time."

Little over seven minutes in Lewis Montrose opened the scoring, nodding in Danny Jackman's left-wing cross with no Rovers defender in sight.

Joe Anyinsah tangled with Montrose, felling the midfielder in the area, setting Kedwell the task of doubling Gillingham's advantage.

Mustapha Carayol produced a neat finish to give the Pirates a fighting chance, but Jackson drove past the ball between Scott Bevan and his near post to restore the two goal cushion.

Cian Bolger swiped away Curtis Weston's legs with a quarter of an hour to go, earning himself a straight red card and allowing former Wimbledon striker Kedwell to slot home his sixth spot kick of the season.

Visiting manager Paul Buckle came out with a surprisingly positive outlook on Rovers' display, questioning referee Oli Langford's decision making throughout the heavy defeat.

"They had one goal for their troubles in the first half and then we had a penalty decision go against us which saw them double their advantage. I really don't think that one should have been awarded.

"That changed the game, because it gave them a two goal advantage. In the second half we came out and scored a great goal and we were on top, massively on top, at that stage of the game.

"However decisions change games and I don't think anything went for the players today and I'm bitterly disappointed for the team."

Tip-Top Town Represent Tough Test For Rovers

Bristol Rovers will host and in form Swindon Town at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday in League 2, hoping to put to bed the shortcomings that see them languishing in the lower reaches of the fourth tier, though they will have to put in the performance of the season to overcome the rocking Robins.

The form

Both sides come into the game on the back of excellent FA Cup victories, Rovers thrashing non-league AFC Totton 6-1, while Swindon caused a minor upset, dumping League 1 Colchester out to set up a home tie against Premiership Wigan in the third round.

The Wiltshire side are currently on a 13 game unbeaten run, inclusive of the whole of October and November, the most impressive of those results coming in the FA Cup first round, where they dismembered League 1 high-flyers Huddersfield 4-1 at the County Ground.

This stunning form has seen Swindon rise from 11th up to a comfotable 6th in the League 2 standings, as well as guiding them to the area final of the Johnstones' Paint Trophy with victory over table topping Southend. They will clash with Barnet over two legs for a place in the Wembley showpiece, potentially their second final at the national stadium in three seasons.

42 goals in 26 all matches to this point in the season makes them a sizable threat, though the scoring duties have been shared around in recent games, Algerian striker Mehdi Kerrouche is the leading marksman with eight for the season.

The key men

Despite his goalscoring prowess Kerrouche has started just one of Town's last five games, being substituted after just 26 minutes of the cup game at Colchester, as well as receiving some constructive criticism from his manager this week. Raffaele De Vita and Alan Connell have worked in rotation up front along with Birmingham loanee Jake Jervis.

A one time Rovers target under Paul Trollope's management, Jervis possesses a fine physique, standing at 6'3", while also being fleet of foot with the turf ahead of him. The additional tricky feet make the 20 year old a potent threat to any defence in League 2.

Joining at the back end of September means that only one of Jervis' 11 appearances has been on the losing side - that was his debut game away at Macclesfield - the four goals he has bagged in that time displaying his burgeoning talent.

If Rovers are able to keep Jervis and the rest of Swindon's dangermen at bay, then they will have to work their way past towering centre back Aden Flint to take the win.

The lanky defender, signed for an undisclosed fee from Alfreton Town at the turn of the year, has been a rock in the Robins defensive line, dominating the aerial duties when is called upon, leaving Paul Buckle with a tactical weight on his mind come match day.

The gaffer

If you don't know about the latest rider on Swindon's managerial roundabout, which rock have you been hiding under; the focal point for much of the media's coverage of Town this season has been ever-controversial boss Paolo Di Canio.

The County Ground hot seat is the Italian's first job in football management and, after battling through a rocky start, he seems to be coming good. Di Canio has produced a multinational squad containing Spaniards, Italians, an Algerian and even a Namibian, a rare sight in the British dominated bottom rung of the Football League.

The continental approach instilled into his squad is paying dividends, the Reds now playing an attractive brand of slick, passing football, the pace of the forwards and widemen a menace to opposing defences.

In-keeping with the former West Ham striker's character, there have been differences with players, the touchline dispute with Leon Clarke was well publicised at the time, and it is fair to say that opposing fans have centred their attention on Di Canio, often taking pressure away from his team inadvertently.

The history

The close proximity of the two clubs, both in terms of locale and league positions, has created a simmering rivalry, never more apparent than in recent seasons.

Every year since Swindon became the first Premier League era side to be relegated to the basement division, they and Rovers have met in league fixtures. Rickie Lambert scored a scorching 40 yard half volley at the Memorial Stadium that season to help Rovers into the play-offs, from which they were promoted.

The Robins have edged the record since then, winning four of the eight games, although the Gas did manage an emphatic double in 2009/10, thumping Swindon 3-0 at home before humiliating them 4-0 at the County Ground. Will Hoskins opened the scoring in last season's corresponding fixture, which ended 3-1 in favour of the home side.

Surprisingly, it may be Jeff Hughes that Rovers will miss the most. The midfielder, now with Notts County, had scored in each of the last four tussles between the clubs.

The verdict

Rovers will have to be on the top of their game to snatch all three points in this one; Swindon are riding on the crest of a wave. The Pirates will need to remain tight, compact and not get sucked in by Town's passing rhythm, while breaking incisively themselves.

Aden Flint will most likely monopolise the aerial challenges, so getting the ball out to Mustapha Carayol and Jo Anyinsah on the wings will be way forward.

Matt Ritchie's suspension will be a blow to Swindon, the wideman has scored seven this term, as well as creating numerous others. It may, however, open up a space in the centre midfield for Simon Ferry, who will need to be kept under wraps by his quartered counterparts - bringing Craig Stanley back into the side may be advisable.

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.

Argyle Saved From FA Cup Upset

Onismor Bhasera's weaving run and finish earned Plymouth Argyle a replay, denying Stourbridge a place in the FA Cup second round for the first time in their history.

Warren Feeney opened the scoring with an early header, only for Aaron Drake to repeat the feat at the other end.

The game came alive in the second half as Ryan Rowe put the visitors ahead with a stunning lobbed half-volley. Argyle player/manager Carl Fletcher levelled with a deflected strike, but his side were soon behind again, Sean Gebbis firing home from the spot after Robbie Williams was dismissed.

Bhasera had the final word, however, netting with two minutes to go.

220 seconds was all it took for the home side to open the scoring, Paul Bignot and Will Atkinson working the ball around the right hand flank; the former eventually putting in a pinpoint cross that Feeney headed past Lewis Solly, despite the keeper getting two hands to the ball.

Stourbridge were struggling to get the ball down, but forced Romain Larrieu's hands into work when Rowe's effort struck his teammate Nathan Bennett and looped up for the French custodian to claim.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure, Feeney, Atkinson and Matt Lecointe all missing the target, only to get hit on the break by the plucky visitors. Larrieu failed to hold Rowe's initial effort, allowing a teammate to chip the ball up from the left-hand side of the area for Leon Broadhurst to head into the path of Drake, equalising with a bullet from his own cranium.

Broadhurst nearly put his side in the lead, though he could only nod into the side netting with Stourbridge starting to take the ascendancy.

The second half opened with Sam Rock hitting a shot at Larrieu, though a qute stunning finish lit the blue-touch paper for an enthralling forty-five minutes.

Drake cleared the ball long upfield, Rowe latching onto the end of it and clipping the ball over the on-coming Larrieu to send the sizable travelling support behind the goal into raptures.

A cleverly worked free kick resulted in Atkinson thudding an effort off the left-hand upright as Plymouth searched for an equaliser, while Rowe was prevented from doubling his tally at close range by Larrieu.

The pressure was growing on the Southern League team's defence, though it took a huge slice of luck for Argyle to level. Fletcher jinked past one man in midfield, left free to run into acres of space, his final shot taking a huge deflection over Solly and ricocheting in off the far post.

With both sides searching for the killer blow the final ten minutes proved a highlight, with two more goals and a pair of red cards. It was Stourbridge who broke into the lead first, Rowe dragged down by Williams when poised to shoot, leading to a straight red card for the ex-Preston defender; Gebbis taking the opportunity to score from 12 yards.

The game was vying for the tie of the round, and it gave the assembled crowd of 6,173 one final twist, Bhasera beating a handful of static red shirts before slamming home the final goal of the game, the stoppage time dismissal of Conor Hourihane proving insignificant in the grand scheme of what was a pulsating cup tie.

Rovers End Saturday Curse

Bristol Rovers won a Saturday home game for the first time in eight months, beating Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.

The visitors survived a goal mouth scramble in the opening period but could not hold out in the second, Joe Anyinsah mopping up from close range on 50 minutes before Matt Harrold scored a penalty in stoppage time.

Rovers third game in eight days saw manager Paul Buckle under pressure to set straight a run of four defeats from the last five, a segment of the fanbase already calling for his head after Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to Port Vale.

In light of the previous two defeats Buckle reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, giving Mustapha Carayol his first start since October 1st, playing on the left wing, with Anyinsah stationed on the opposite flank.

From the off it was the home side who had their foot on the gas, Harrold heading a Matt Gill corner wide before Scott McGleish suffered the same fate from a Craig Stanley cross.

Rovers captain Gill then found himself with a yard of space in the penalty area, defying the tight angle and forcing Dagenham goalkeeper Chris Lewington into a sharp save.

The away side, managed by former Rovers assistant John Still, were hanging on by a thread, Scott McGleish's centre finding Anyinsah, whose shot was kept out, the rebound falling kindly for Gill. After the captain's effort was blocked by the desperate Dagenham bodies Carayol had one final chance to turn the ball in, but there was a visiting body in the way once more.

Though Rovers had the better of the first half exchanges there were few moments of quality, Dagenham's line-up looking bereft of any confidence, though that was not to be unexpected, the Essex club having lost their last four League 2 games.

What ever words of wisdom cane from Still had little effect on his squad as Rovers came out and scored within five minutes of the restart. Stanley was allowed space to run down the right hand side and found McGleish with a cross, Lewington keeping out the veteran forwards header, parrying straight into the path of Anyinsah who blasted his volley into the goal.

Seven minutes later the lead could have been doubled, Stanley again the man to break from midfield and whip the ball in, though Harrold's header ricocheted off the inside of the post to allow the Daggers to clear.

A Cian Bolger slip allowed substitute Brian Woodall to run in behind the Rovers defence, though his burst was ended prematurely by an emphatic sliding challenge from Danny Woodards, hurtling back to prevent the forward from getting a clear shot on goal.

Damien McCrory had to be on hand to clear a Carayol strike off the line, though the home crowd weren't to be denied a second goal for long. Abu Ogogo hauled down Harrold shirt first in the penalty area and referee Mark Heywood pointed straight to the spot. The former Shrewsbury man picked himself up to convert, push Rovers up to 15th in the table and lift the mood on the unnervingly tense terraces.

Rigg Enjoys Rovers Return

A Sean Rigg stunner against his former club capped off a fine Port Vale win over an ailing Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

Marc Richards and Doug Loft scored in the first half before Rigg finished off any hope Rovers had of a late comeback in the 3-0 triumph.

The game started at a frenetic pace, the home side making much of the early runnings, though they found themselves unable to get an effort in on goal. After the clock had ticked over ten minutes Vale began to exert control over the game, Rigg firing wide from the edge of the area, before Rovers resistance was broken in the 19th minute.

The visitors broke down the right-hand side, Tom Pope finding space in the penalty area, squaring the ball for Richards. The former Barnsley striker spun on the spot, sending Rovers defender Cian Bolger flailing, and beat Scott Bevan with a low effort.

Ollie Norburn, making his first start for the home side, found himself unable to adapt to the pace of the play and was replaced by Joe Anyinsah with just 32 minutes gone. The change, however, made little difference, a further Rigg shot preceding Vale's second, though it didn't come without a large slice of luck.

Central midfielder Doug Loft collected the ball in the middle third and was allowed to push forward unchallenged, his eventual long range shot taking a hefty deflection, helping it loop up and over Bevan's head for his fifth goal of the season.

Conceding the second appeared to kick Rovers into life as they ended the half on top, Scott Rendell seeing his strike blocked prior to each full back taking their chances from distance, Lee Brown and Dan Woodards forcing Stuart Tomlinson into making saves. Scott McGleish's header went wide of the left hand post to end the opening period with the Bristolians in the ascendancy.

Anyinsah and Matt Harrold tried their luck as the second half began, though neither could hit the target with a volley and glancing header respectively. The introduction of Mustapha Carayol, in place of Woodards, gave Rovers an added spark down the left hand side and the winger made an immediate impact, giving Tomlinson more work in the Port Vale goal.

The substitution did, however, mean that Matt Gill had to move from midfield to right back, taking away much of the creativity from the heart of the home side, gradually allowing the Valiants to wrestle back control of the match.

The ever-menacing Rigg continued to test Bevan while Anyinsah lashed a volley over the crossbar at the other end before the former had the last word, jinking inside of makeshift midfielder Rendell before driving left-footed into the top corner of the Rovers goal, leaving Paul Buckle's team to exit the field to a chorus of boos from the home supporters.

De Vita Breaks Pilgrims Resistance

Raffaele De Vita's 82nd minute strike lead his battling Swindon Town side to a 1-0 triumph away at Plymouth Argyle.

The Italian ended a flowing counter attack to leave the Pilgrims rock-bottom of the Football League, though it was not for a lack of trying on the hosts part, their eight shots on target finding determined Swindon bodies between them and the back of the net.

It was Plymouth, looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games, who started the brighter, a barrage of corners eventually leading to two efforts on goal. Curtis Nelson initially found the back of teammate Matt Lecointe, before the rebound looped up for Robbie Williams to volley into the arm's of Wes Foderingham.

Central defender Nelson was a constant threat when lurking in the Swindon penalty area, as two more of his strikes required blocks from visiting bodies, either side of Jake Jervis' header going narrowly wide at the other end.

With his side on the back foot Cristian Montano took it upon himself to take the game to the fragile Plymouth defence. The Colombian managed to skin two defenders before letting the moment slip, his final shot rolling comfortably into the grateful palms of Argyle custodian Jake Cole.

Robbie Williams late free kick, held by the strong hands of Foderingham, summed up the first half as the home side worked hard for no reward.

Paulo Di Canio's half time team-talk appeared to motivate Swindon for the second half as the visitors began to stroke the ball around more confidently, adding an extra yard of pace to the game.

Birmingham loanee Jake Jervis twice missed the target when well placed while two short-corner routines caught the Plymouth defence cold, though Jonothan Smith's header was the best chance to result from them.

Argyle were not done yet, however, as their best chance of the match came and went within the blink of an eye, Conor Hourihane's inswinging corner finding the forehead of Jamie Griffith. With the substitute's bullet header flying goalwards Foderingham instinctively threw a hand up, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Five minutes later, with the home side pressing for the winner, Swindon broke downfield, the ball making it's way to Matt Ritchie on the right hand side, the ex-Portsmouth youth crossing for De Vita to beat Cole with a low angled drive.

With the game almost up Argyle fought valiantly for a route back in, but not even the presence of Cole in the Swindon area for a late corner could force the equaliser, leaving the Pilgrims five points adrift of safety, while the Robins move to just a point away from the League 2 play-off places.

Wrights And Wrongs

Stand at Memorial Stadium bar and mention the name 'Mark Wright' to the assembled Gasheads and you'll probably be met by Bristolian mumbles of 'lazy b*****d' into a pint of Blackthorn. The former Rovers winger, now with Shrewsbury Town, represented the Pirates 25 times during the 2009/10 season and swiftly became a bete noir amongst supporters.

That was, of course, two seasons ago, and yet the hostility felt towards the Wolverhampton born footballer was still in evidence when Shrewsbury visited Bristol for their League 2 clash with Rovers, boos ringing around the terraces every time Wright touched the ball.

It is a tale that doesn't just involve Wright, his best friend in the game, Carl Regan, has also been on the receiving end of vitriol from the Rovers faithful, vitriol that, at one point, went a step too far.

Having spent two seasons at MK Dons, winning the League 2 title and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy during the course, Wright was allowed a free transfer by Paul Ince, joining fellow League 1 side Brighton & Hove Albion. After just five appearances in an Albion shirt Wright secured a move to Bristol Rovers, not even having been under contract at the Withdean Stadium for six weeks. The claim from all parties was that he had failed to settle on the south coast. Brighton still made a profit from the sale to Rovers, rumoured to be in the region of £30,000.

Wright went straight into the Rovers team, facing Millwall for the second time in eight days, and had a spell in the side that lasted throughout the winter and into the new year. Wright was finally dropped from a regular starting XI berth on February 9th, his last appearance for Rovers at their Filton Avenue ground, he would play just one further minute for the club, coming on as an 89th minute substitute against Brighton on April 24th.

Over this period Wright had a number two marked next to his name in the assists column, though his performances in the blue and white quarters of the Pirates were largely ineffectual. Wright was demonised by the fanbase as a slacker who made little effort to get forward and rarely picked out a forward pass. Those facts can't be argued with and after a few games supporters grew weary of such displays, noticeably getting on the wingers back, but it can't all be put down to form and confidence, both areas in which he was found lacking.

During his time with MK Dons Wright was allowed freedom in the attacking formation of Paul Ince and and paid back his manager during 2007/08 by finishing as the clubs top scorer, claiming 15 goals and helping his side to the aforementioned double. His debut season in League 1 with the Dons didn't go quite so well, Wright netted just five times, though flashes of talent were shown. He was deemed surplus to the requirements of a club that were gunning for promotion at the third tiers top end, thus moving onto Brighton.

His manager at Rovers would be Paul Trollope, well known for his outright defensive and thoroughly negative tactics. Wright was thrown onto the right hand side, not to play as an out and out winger but to help support the team in their defensive duties. His natural instincts, bred into him over two seasons at Stadium:MK, were not allowed to flourish as he was instructed to double back on opposition wingers, running the flanks in the way that Wright no doubt wished to.

Bereft of confidence and with fans breathing down his neck Wright could, should, have been made to fight hard for his place, he was instead left in the team to suffer by the stubborn Trollope. With little improvement in performances forthcoming Wright began to make his own bed, his attitude lacking in subtlety as he loped around the pitch, seemingly without a care in the world.

Wright's move to Rovers was predated by the club signing Carl Regan, the two were teammates at MK Dons. Regan began his Rovers career with solid displays and was a top performer for the first few months of the season, though the appearance of his buddy, Wright, on the scene was thrown into the ring as a reason for his form dropping over the course of 2009/10

At the front end of the next season Wright was shipped out on loan to Shrewsbury, becoming an instant hit at the Greenhous Meadow, scoring ten goals before January when his switch was made permanent.

Meanwhile Regan had started the season in good form at Rovers, until, that was, a straight red card was flashed his way in a 3-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient. As he left the pitch the crimes of last season resurfaced amongst those on the terraces and he was booed as he traipsed down the tunnel. He never regained his form and on 23rd of February went out on loan to Notts County, a move which was met by a comment from Wright, via Twitter, that his friend had moved onto better things, Rovers struggling, eventually in vain, against relegation.

Many of the online Gas contingent were still following Wright at this point and, soon enough, abuse was sent the way of the 29 year old. The keyboard warriors continued to fire insults Wright's way before someone went over the top. An account 'wright2s***e' was created and posted on the social networking site '@markwright82 [Mark Wright's Twitter user name] don't worry mark now you've left brfc you've got a better chance of playing in the african nations or shrewsbury zoo'.

This comment was simply 'retweeted' by Wright, meaning that anybody who followed him via Twitter would see the posting. Wright is no longer on Twitter, the wright2shite profile is still live, though totally inactive since the incident

Eventually the situation settled down, Wright scored four more goals and finished as top scorer as the Shrews lost out in the play-off semi-finals. Regan was released by Rovers and subsequently joined the Shropshire club. The latter would miss out on the game at the Memorial Stadium, announcing his injury via Twitter, receiving further uncouth replies from a small segment of Rovers fans.

Wright, however, would take to the pitch in his sides losing effort. Catcalls were sent his way throughout a contest in which he would no doubt have liked to put in a match-winning performance, though in the end he flattered to deceive. While twisting and turning the defenders successfully he didn't provide the end product to match. Wright's match was summed up when his late corner failed to beat the first man and flew high up into the air. It fell for Wright himself to control, dropping onto his foot and skidding out for a home throw in to great cheers from the much of the support.

It is a sorry saga that shines neither Wright or Rovers in a good light, they would both like to put it behind them. The fans, however, will not forget the whole deplorable situation, though a modicum of amnesia would, perhaps, be for the better.

There are Wrights and wrongs on both sides.

Zebroski Halts Rovers Slide

When the cheers that greeted the final whistle of Bristol Rovers 1-0 win over Shrewsbury subsided the fans within the Memorial Stadium drew a collective sigh of relief.

Chris Zebroski's first half goal successfully ended a run of four League 2 games without a victory that had blighted the early season optimism of supporters, though it wasn't all plain sailing for Paul Buckle's side. If it weren't for the Shrews wastefulness in the final third the result could easily have been different, though as it was the Gas were the team who created the best chances on the night.

Chris Zebroski's inclusion in the started line up, in place of the veteran Scott McGleish, was the only change from Saturday's team that drew up at Bradford, the former Torquay forward proving, quite typically, to be a thorn in the opposition's side. Now getting a chance to play through the centre Zebroski appears more capable of producing on a regular basis than when placed out wide, his powerful running pressurising the Shrewsbury back four.

One such burst at the heart of the Salops defence drew a foul from central defender Ian Sharps two yards from the edge of the penalty area. Referee Graham Scott ignored home catcalls for a red card, instead awarding a yellow, deeming there to be a covering defender. It was one of a set of bemusing decisions from the Oxfordshire official.

Zebroski's goal, a volley from the edge of the box, came as a result of Matt Harrold's knock-down and was a well taken strike, doubling the 24 year old's tally for the season. It came very much against the run of play as Shrewsbury ran the majority of the game.

The visitors ended the match with 62% of the possession, pushing hard down the wings via Lionel Ainsworth and ex-Rover Mark Wright. Ainsworth's pace had Rovers on the back foot from the off, though first Lee Brown and then Michael Smith dealt with the threat commendably. Wright proved to have a frustrating night, his twists and turns were dangerous, his final balls less so, though a second half drive that whistled inches past the frame of the goal had Scott Bevan flying despairingly through the air.

The right hand flank saw Ainsworth backed up by monstrous full back Jermaine Grandison who overlapped at will as Shrewsbury looked to force the issue from the wide positions. Grandison, and his left sided cohort Joe Jacobson, were able to make an impression on the game with little care for their defensive duties as neither of the Rovers flankmen possessed great pace, indeed, both were arguably playing out of position, Wayne Brown a central midfielder by trade, Eliot Richards a striker.

And yet for all their statistical dominance Rovers still created the better of the chances, Cian Bolger unlucky not to score from a corner as Shrews stopper Ben Smith made a fine save on the line from point blank range.

The dying seconds saw Ainsworth almost snatch a leveller, his twenty five yard drive pushed around the post by the palms of Bevan. The resulting corner saw Smith charge towards the Rovers area, the short corner taken his way, only for the rush 'keeper to slip at the crucial moment. Eliot Richards had the chance to give the travelling support a sense of Deja Vu, though he was unable to put the ball into the empty net as Sammy Igoe had for Rovers at Wembley five years ago.

Paul Buckle and his squad would have taken a win in this fixture by hook or by crook, but if they want to continue to push past their current position of 12th in League 2 their game will need to pick up. Rovers had been kicked back to square one, now they must rise again.

Rovers Search For Form Against Shrews

Matt Harrold in a previous life, wearing Shrewsbury Town Colours

When your luck is out the last thing you need is a questionable refereeing decision. That's exactly what Bristol Rovers were handed at the weekend.

With literally seconds of stoppage time to go Michael Flynn spoiled the Pirates' northern jaunt by slotting away his second penalty of the game to level the scores at 2-2. The first spot kick was a stonewaller, there could be no protestations from the gas contingent. It was the second award from the officials that had players in uproar. Jamie Devitt broke into the box only to fall under minimal contact from Rovers full back Lee Brown, the linesman flagging, referee Miller pointing to the spot.

Had the decision not gone Bradford's way it would have seen a run of three league games without a win halted, it wasn't to be. Instead Rovers go into Tuesday's game with high-flying Shrewsbury looking for a change in fortune, that may be hard to come by against one of the divisions form teams. Having handed Plymouth what remains their only point of the season on the opening day the Shrews kicked off the season in tortoise-slow fashion, there was to be one further point from their next two games. What has transpired since has seen the club propel upwards and into the automatic promotion spots.

Four straight wins, not to mention a shock Carling Cup victory over Swansea, have boosted the mood at the Greenhous Meadow, their last game finishing in a 3-1 triumph over local rivals Hereford. Marvin Morgan was at the double in that match, outmuscling his defender for the first and slotting coolly home to put the game beyond the Bulls late on.

Those strikes came either side of a goal from Mark Wright, a former Rovers player himself, who left the the club after a largely unfruitful season under Paul Trollope. His attitude made him a bete noir among the Bristolian faithful though since dropping down to the fourth tier Shrews his form has been stunning. The former MK Dons winger netted 14 goals last term and was a major part of Town's run to the play-offs, he already has braces of both goals and assists this season.

There could also be a possible Memorial Stadium return for left back Joe Jacobson, who started in the XI that faced Hereford. Tuesday will also give Matt Harrold an opportunity to give Shrewsbury, the club that sold him to Rovers in the summer, just what they are missing out on.

Rovers hold the lead in the overall record between the two sides, holding 27 wins to their opponents meagre 15. It will be the first time the clubs will have met since 2006/07, a season which saw them become well acquainted with each other. In the four games that season Rovers came out on top three times, drawing the other, most importantly in front of over 61,000 spectators at Wembley when they ran out 3-1 winners in the League 2 play-off final. It was their tenth unbeaten game in succession, a run from which they snatched sixth place on the final day of the season and disposed of Lincoln for the end of season showpiece.

Stewart Drummond headed the Shropshire side into a 3rd minute lead though Rovers refused to lay down quietly. Richard Walker produced a fine finish to equalise before exquisitely lobbing Chris Mackenzie for the half time lead. Shrewsbury spent the second half probing for a way back into the match and won a corner in the final minute for which Mackenzie made his way into the opposing penalty area. The corner was swung in but the danger removed, allowing Pirates midfielder Sammy Igoe to pick up the loose ball, run half the length of the field and slip the ball into the unguarded net, securing promotion and inciting delirium among the nigh on 40,000 Gasheads that had made the trip to the capital.

Team news for Tuesday sees Gary Sawyer unavailable, the full back missing out as he slowly returns to fitness following a hernia operation.

Captain Matt Gill has been feeling fatigued of late but manager Paul Buckle is hopeful that he will be available.

Shrewsbury will be without ex-Rovers defender Carl Regan who is lost his place in the side following a quadricep injury.

Striker Terry Gornell is suspended following a straight red card in the win over Hereford. While he serves a three match suspension Tom Bradshaw and James Collins will be fighting for the vacated spot.

The space on the bench could go the way of defender Connor Goldson or one of the wing pair of Steve Leslie and Jon Taylor.