ROVERS produced a spirited display at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night but it was not enough to topple Chelsea.

Around 4,000 Gasheads made the trip and were treated to an enthralling encounter as we hoped for an unlikely upset against the Premier League giants in the second round of the EFL Cup.

We started nervously while a strong Chelsea team quickly found their rhythm, making us fear that it could be a long night ahead.

Batshuayi gave the Blues a deserved lead in the 29th minute and it looked like the dream was over for the Gas when Moses scored Chelsea’s second two minutes later.

Then Hartley gave us hope by scoring his second goal in two games for the Pirates with a fine header 10 minutes before half-time.

Chelsea reasserted their superiority to go into the half-time break leading 3-1 after Batshuayi notched again.

Manager Clarke wasted no time in changing his team for the second half, bringing on Easter and Taylor.

We suddenly looked full of spirit and belief as the experience of Easter and the class of Taylor rubbed off on their teammates.

Harrison had one of his best games for Rovers as he tormented the Chelsea defence, putting them under pressure by chasing every lost cause.

He scored a penalty in front of the Shed End to send the massed ranks of Gas fans into ecstasy as a thrilling contest took another twist.

Conte sensed the danger and threw on the might of Hazard, Terry and Oscar to ensure they were not the victims of a cup upset.

Although we lost we pushed our illustrious opponents all the way and the Rovers players gave the fans a performance to be proud of.

It is back to league action on Saturday as Rovers travel to Swindon, hoping to build on a creditable 1-1 draw at Southend last weekend.

It looked like we would secure a deserved victory after Hartley’s header but Harrison was harshly adjudged to have handballed and the contest ended 1-1.

If Rovers show the same spirit and desire at the County Ground that was on display in London on Tuesday, we can secure all three points.