BRISTOL Rovers returned to winning ways by beating Coventry City 4-1 at a packed Memorial Stadium on Boxing Day, writes Steve Knowlson.

Darrell Clarke had demanded more from his misfiring squad after a disappointing display against Shrewsbury last time out and made four changes, recalling Daniel Leadbitter, Chris Lines, Billy Bodin and Cristian Montano to the starting 11.

Rovers started brightly with Montano in particular finding space down the flanks, testing visiting keeper Lee Burge with a fierce early shot.

The breakthrough came soon after when Lines curled a free kick into the Coventry area and Peter Hartley met it with a glancing header to put the Gas 1-0 up, embellishing his grow- ing reputation as a goal- scoring central defender.

Despite playing in front of new manager Russell Slade for the first time, struggling City offered little threat and it was no surprise when Rovers went two up inside 10 minutes of the second half, Bodin striking a vicious shot from 18 yards after good play from Taylor and Gaffney.

That seemed to spur Coventry on who promptly pulled one back via Jordan Willis’s shot after indecisive defending in the Rovers box.

However, their resurgence was short-lived when Bodin restored Rovers’ two goal advantage with an excellent finish after an assist from sub Harrison.

The rout was completed by the impressive Bodin when his surging run into the box was illegally halted by Turnbull.

The young winger stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty, claiming the match ball in the process.

A satisfying afternoon’s work for Clarke’s side, greatly appreciated by most of the 11,200 crowd.