ROVERS secured two home wins on the bounce with a hard-fought victory over Northampton Town on Saturday.

The Pirates were made to battle all the way to clinch the points at the Memorial Stadium against the Cobblers, who reached the play-off final last season.

Their manager Aidy Boothroyd may have changed some of their personnel over the summer but they still bear all the hallmarks of his teams – reliant on long balls to their big strikers, with persistent fouling and an over-physical approach a common feature.

The fact they had seven players booked and one sent off in injury time tells its own story.

However Rovers more than matched their opponents with a determined performance full of commitment, spirit and desire.

We got off to the best possible start with a goal after just two minutes that proved to be the decisive moment of the game.

It was an excellent goal that showed sublime team play from start to finish.

Clarkson, enjoying another fine game, spread the ball out to Lee Brown with pinpoint precision and the left-back delivered a magnificent cross to the far post.

Young Tom Lockyer, who was given the man-of-the-match award for another accomplished performance, completed the move with a brilliant header to score his first Rovers goal.

The Gas stood firm throughout the rest of the contest, with Parkes and McChrystal resolute at the back and full-backs Brown and Smith continuing to excel.

We look like we are getting stronger with each game now and after a slow start are occupying a much healthier-looking 11th place in the table, with seven points from five games.

With two away games to come, starting this Saturday at West Country rivals Plymouth Argyle, it was vital to secure a home win on Saturday to stand us in good stead for the challenges that await in September as we aim to continue our ascent up the table.

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