ROVERS extended their unbeaten run to five games with a thrilling 3-1 victory over promotion-chasing Bradford at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

We started well, putting the Bantams under pressure with plenty of attacking endeavour and neat football.

For all our possession we weren’t creating much in the way of clear-cut chances but we felt confident a breakthrough would come to reward the commitment and desire being shown by the team.

Unfortunately Bradford opened the scoring with a penalty awarded in the 38th minute after Clarke was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball.

We didn’t deserve to be a goal down at the break but the players resumed battle, determined to avenge that injustice.

They were continuing to push forward, with Broadbent catching the eye with his ability to bring the ball out of defence. Defensively we looked solid and the midfield were working effortlessly to give us the advantage.

Harrison was also grafting tirelessly up front but the opportunity to level the scoreline fell to Partington whose shot squeezed through a crowded area to make it 1-1 on 53 minutes.

It was the least our efforts warranted and gave us the incentive to go on and win the game.

Harrison’s trickery in the box caused panic among the Bradford defence and a penalty was rightly awarded after he was upended.

Lines made no mistake with the spot kick to give us the lead with six minutes left to play.

We thought we could be in for a nervy last few minutes but the outstanding Sercombe made matters safe by ghosting past a couple of players and finishing brilliantly.

The crowd was in raptures as we celebrated an outstanding victory to move us up to 14th in the table.

It was a superb performance from all the players and manager Clarke deserves credit for fostering such great team spirit.

Bradford had no answer to the players’ drive, energy and skill and if we play like that every week there will be no fears of being dragged into a relegation battle.

The Pirates now need to show that form away from home and the trip to Doncaster on Saturday is a great opportunity to claim another three points.