Match ends, Accrington Stanley 2, Bristol Rovers 1.
AccringtonAccrington Stanley2Bristol RoversBristol Rovers1
Accrington secured their first league win of the season at the expense of fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers.
The Pirates took the lead after five minutes when Manchester City loanee Alex Henshall's left-wing cross fooled goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.
But James Gray netted a close-range equaliser from Peter Murphy's well-executed pass.
Kal Naismith drilled a low shot on the half-hour mark to give Stanley the lead and they held on for three points.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Accrington manager James Beattie told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I thought we deserved it. We were the better side tonight. There was a mistake from Marcus, but otherwise we were outstanding.
"His reaction to the mistake and the team's reaction towards Marcus says a lot about how he's played for us.
"He needed his mates to pull him out of the mire and they did that. I'm really pleased for them. They deserve it."
Bristol Rovers manager John Ward told BBC Radio Bristol:
"The first 10 minutes was good and very positive.
"Maybe we got a little bit carried away with that and thought everything was going to turn out OK.
"We've allowed ourselves to get a bit frantic with our decision making.
"That's down to the youth I've got out there. It's not a criticism it's just the situation they've found themselves in."
Line-ups
Accrington
Formation 4-4-2
- 26Bettinelli
- 16Hunt
- 27Naylor
- 4Joyce
- 6Winnard
- 5AldredBooked at 80mins
- 11Naismith
- 2Murphy
- 9WebberSubstituted forHatfieldat 79'minutes
- 17GraySubstituted forCarverat 86'minutes
- 15MingoiaSubstituted forRichardsonat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Dunbavin
- 7McCartan
- 8Richardson
- 10Hatfield
- 18Carver
- 20Windass
- 44Bowerman
Bristol Rovers
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Mildenhall
- 2Smith
- 30Lockyer
- 24O ClarkeSubstituted forSantosat 61'minutes
- 6Parkes
- 22Packwood
- 25Clucas
- 32O'Toole
- 26BruntBooked at 81mins
- 17HarrisonBooked at 72mins
- 16HenshallBooked at 67minsSubstituted forRichardsat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Richards
- 15Norburn
- 18Harding
- 20Gough
- 33Santos
- 34Keary
- 35Southway
- Referee:
- Geoff Eltringham
- Attendance:
- 1,101
Match Stats
Home TeamAccringtonAway TeamBristol Rovers
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home5
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Accrington Stanley 2, Bristol Rovers 1.
Substitution
Substitution, Accrington Stanley. Michael Richardson replaces Piero Mingoia.
Post update
Corner, Accrington Stanley. Conceded by Will Packwood.
Substitution
Substitution, Accrington Stanley. Marcus Carver replaces James Gray.
Post update
Eliot Richards (Bristol Rovers) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Post update
Foul by Kal Naismith (Accrington Stanley).
Post update
Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Ryan Brunt (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Tom Aldred (Accrington Stanley) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
(Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Brunt (Bristol Rovers).
Post update
Attempt saved. Alefe Santos (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Accrington Stanley. Will Hatfield replaces Danny Webber.
Post update
Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by Tom Aldred.
Post update
Corner, Accrington Stanley. Conceded by Steve Mildenhall.
Post update
Attempt saved. Lee Naylor (Accrington Stanley) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
James Gray (Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Tom Parkes (Bristol Rovers).
