Match ends, Bristol Rovers 1, Dartford 0.
Bristol RoversBristol Rovers1DartfordDartford0
Bristol Rovers stretched their unbeaten run to eight Conference games with a nervy win over struggling Dartford.
Matty Taylor's early shot was tipped over by Jason Brown and Neal Trotman fired over for the hosts, while Harry Crawford missed a good Dartford chance.
Rovers went ahead when Rory McAuley fouled Adam Cunnington and Taylor's penalty squirmed past Jason Brown.
Luke Daley's bullet header struck the bar as Dartford pressed, but Rovers soaked up late pressure to hold on.
Darrell Clarke's men have taken advantage of Torquay and Woking's inactivity to move up to fourth in the table, while Dartford drop to 20th.
Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke told BBC Radio Bristol:
"I was anxious - very, very anxious. Dartford were asking questions at 1-0 because they were still in the game.
"But I'm delighted with the three points, especially with Barnet losing as well.
"We're now four points off top spot with 15 games played so I'm over the moon. "
Line-ups
Bristol Rovers
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Mildenhall
- 3Brown
- 4Lockyer
- 6Parkes
- 15Trotman
- 7MansellBooked at 79mins
- 8O Clarke
- 24Sinclair
- 16MartinSubstituted forMonkhouseat 66'minutes
- 10TaylorBooked at 74minsSubstituted forHarrisonat 75'minutes
- 27Cunnington
Substitutes
- 5McChrystal
- 14White
- 17Harrison
- 23Monkhouse
- 25Puddy
Dartford
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Brown
- 2Bender
- 3GreenBooked at 52minsSubstituted forHayesat 54'minutes
- 4McAuley
- 14Mitchell-King
- 5Bradbrook
- 6Cornhill
- 9Daley
- 11Harris
- 17Crawford
- 23BradbrookSubstituted forPughat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Hayes
- 10Pugh
- 21Ibrahim
- 27Adams
- 28Vint
- Referee:
- Adam Hopkins
- Attendance:
- 5,112
Match Stats
Home TeamBristol RoversAway TeamDartford
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away5
- Corners
- Home0
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bristol Rovers 1, Dartford 0.
Post update
Offside, Dartford. Harry Crawford tries a through ball, but Harry Crawford is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt saved. Luke Daley (Dartford) header from the centre of the box is saved. Assisted by Ryan Hayes with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Tom Bender (Dartford).
Post update
Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick.
Post update
Foul by Stuart Sinclair (Bristol Rovers).
Post update
Tom Bender (Dartford) wins a free kick.
Post update
Offside, Dartford. Harry Crawford tries a through ball, but Harry Crawford is caught offside.
Booking
Lee Mansell (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution
Substitution, Dartford. Andy Pugh replaces Tom Bradbrook.
Post update
Foul by Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers).
Post update
Rory McAuley (Dartford) wins a free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Ellis Harrison replaces Matty Taylor.
Booking
Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers).
Post update
Tom Bender (Dartford) wins a free kick.
Post update
Attempt missed. Luke Daley (Dartford) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Andy Monkhouse replaces Dave Martin.
Post update
Attempt saved. Adam Cunnington (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.
