ROVERS blew Northampton away on Saturday with a resounding 6-0 victory away from home.

We went into the game without our first choice pairing of central defenders, with Lockyer and Sweeney away on international duty.

Darrell Clarke made a surprise decision to give Menayese his debut due to injuries to other players. It completed a meteoric rise for the 19-year-old, who was signed from Weston in the summer.

Any concerns over his inexperience alongside Broadbent were brushed aside as both performed magnificently and showed great composure throughout.

Sixfields has often been a tough place to go but it has been a happy hunting ground for the Gas of late and we took full advantage of their poor start to the season as they are languishing in the relegation places.

We had to wait until the 37th minute for the breakthrough as a fine drive by Bodin gave us the lead. Our joy was tempered by an apparent hamstring injury that ended his involvement and is likely to keep him out for a few games.

Nichols then had a chance to break his duck and add to the lead as a penalty was awarded after he was upended in the box.

Unfortunately it was a poor effort and his goal drought goes on. He has been playing well, however, and hopefully it will be a matter of time before it clicks in front of goal.

His miss did not prove costly as Rovers were about to deliver a sensational second half performance.

A double from Harrison, who is looking like a new player this season, gave the scoreline a more comfortable look.

But more was to come as Gaffney, Sercombe and Telford completed the rout.

It was an outstanding performance that wiped out our negative goal difference and will give the squad great confidence for the games ahead.

It was a nice touch from Darrell to urge the team at half-time to win the game for Nichols and highlighted the excellent team spirit.

The win lifted us to 12th and sets up an exciting clash at home to Oxford on Saturday, before heading to league leaders Shrewsbury on Tuesday.