YATE TOWN fell to a narrow defeat against Bristol Rovers development squad despite taking the lead at the Jelf Stadium.

Josh Ford gave the home side the lead with a header early in the second half but a 30-yard wonder strike from a trialist and close range finish from under-18 player Zain Walker turned the game on its head.

The opening 10 minutes saw both sides share possession, looking to find their feet in a close first half.

Pirates keeper Liam Armstrong did have one save to make in the first half when he tipper a free kick round the post.

Yate carried that end of first half momentum into the second half and took the lead just a few minutes into it when Ford rose highest from a free kick to head his side into the lead.

The away side began to push for an equaliser and had a shout for a penalty when a trialist had a shot that looked to have struck a hand but the referee waved it away.

Yate were defending well as they looked to hold onto their lead. Rovers manager Chris Hargreaves then brought on another trialist which swung the game into their favour.

The trialist made an almost instant impact. He picked up the ball from 30 yards, looked up and rifled a stunning strike into the top right corner leaving the keeper with no chance.

It could’ve been two in as many minutes, Cameron Ebbutt drove down the left hand side and in was behind the defence. He squared a lovely ball across goal but the Bristol forwards failed to get reach it for a tap in.

The winning goal eventually came for the Gas just past the 70-minute mark, with substitute Walker racing through on goal and stabbing the ball past the onrushing keeper to make it 2-1.

As a result, Yate Town then went on the attack and threw men forward, they created a couple of half chances but Armstrong was equal to everything they threw at him.

Yate Town did have one glorious chance in the dying minutes and were inches away from an equaliser. Joe Guest rifled a ferocious strike towards the top corner but just missed the target and went behind for a goal kick.

The Evo-stik Southern League South side continued to press for a second goal, with threatening crosses from either side providing tests for the Pirates defence but they stood firm and held out for the win. Yate’s next pre-season friendly is away at Portland United on Saturday, July 21.