ROVERS came unstuck at promotion-chasing Rotherham on Saturday, crashing to a 2-0 defeat.

It was another tough challenge in a run of fixtures against the top sides, as the Pirates looked to replicate their fine form against Blackburn the previous week.

Nicholls was given another chance to impress up front alongside Harrison but we got off to a bad start as James Clarke failed to control the ball and Rotherham’s Smith showed pace and composure to take full advantage.

His clinical finish showed the quality of the sides competing for places in the top six, which we need to match if we are to make a promotion challenge next season.

After that it was a tall order to get back into the game. We had decent spells of possession but lacked the quality to seriously trouble our opponents.

The Millers’ defence was well organised but we failed to provide enough service to the front men.

Rotherham made sure of the points in the 90th minute as substitute Lavery turned in a cross.

Although it was a frustrating afternoon, it was a good lesson for Rovers to see where they need to improve.

Harrison needs more support up front and although Moore’s form has improved in recent weeks, it’s questionable whether he can add goals to his all-round game.

Table-topping Wigan Athletic came to the Mem on Tuesday night looking for the points that would edge them closer to the league title but an excellent Rovers performance restricted them to a point in a 1-1 draw.

Sercombe put the Gas in front in the 28th minute and we should have put the game out of the Latics’ reach if we had been more clinical. One goal is often never enough and Wigan grabbed an equaliser with 10 minutes to go.

The result was tinged with sadness as Darrell Clarke revealed after the game that long-serving left back Lee Brown would leave the club at the end of the season for family reasons.

Our last home game is on Saturday against Gillingham.