Manager John Ward made two changes to the starting line up bring back midfielder Tom Lockyer and striker Mitch Harding in place of Ellis Harrison and Oliver Norburn. Defender Gary Kenneth was not named on the bench due to picking up a knock in training on Friday.
Opening 30 minutes saw both teams limited to very little action in front of goal, but on 31 minutes Hartlepool were unlucky not to take the lead. Franks hit the post and saw the rebound cleared. Rovers then went up the other end on took the lead, Matt Harrold fired home, chesting down an Eliot Richards pass before beating Hartlepool keeper Scott Flinders with a well placed shot on the turn from just inside the box. Rovers fans were still celebrating the goal when Hartlepool drew level through Luke James.
It got worse for Rovers when James struck his second before the break to make it 2-1 to Hartlepool. Rovers were better in the second half and were working hard to get back in to the game. Harrold and Richards both had chances to draw level but could find the back of the net. At the other end Steve Mildenhall pulled off a fine save to stop James scoring his hat-trick. With time running out John Joe O’Toole fired home from 15 yards to earn Rovers a point.
Rovers are 19th in League One after todays draw and next face Southend away on Friday night.
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