Rovers Throw It Away

Yet again Bristol Rovers let a lead slip away from them and after last nights game are still looking for their first home win of the season.

Paul Trollope made three changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Leyton orient on Saturday, in came Williams, Pipe and Jacobson. Carruthers, Igoe and Lambert had to settle for a place on the bench. Rovers took the lead in the 11 minute when Richard Walker smashed home his fourth penalty of the season after Garry Richards handled a shot from Rovers centre-back Steve Elliott.

Southend had a chance to draw level but Steve Phillips made a remarkable point-blank save from Clarke. Elliott almost scored when he went up for a corner, but the defender saw his over head kick cleared off the line.

In the second half Southend started to get on top and were making Rovers defend far too deep. Phillips made a one-handed save to his right to push away a dangerous shot from Lewis Hunt.

There was a feeling around the ground that it was again not to be Rovers night, Disley had to be replaced by Igoe after picking up an injury. Then with just seconds left on the clock Clarke was given room to smash a right-foot shot past keeper Steve Phillips.