ROVERS had mixed fortunes this week, suffering an unlucky defeat on Saturday but bouncing back to return to the play-off zone with victory on Tuesday.

We were left to regret not turning possession into goals on Saturday as visitors Peterborough stole the points in a 2-1 win.

The first half was a cagey affair with few clear-cut chances being created.

The Pirates were playing some decent football, however, and looked the better side.

Posh looked happy to come for a point and it was evident that we needed our creative players to be on form to break down their stubborn defence.

It was looking promising as we were dominating proceedings and got our reward when Leadbitter was upended in the box following a pacy run in the second half.

Taylor made no mistake with the penalty to give the Gas a 1-0 lead.

As hopes began to rise that we could keep a second consecutive clean sheet, goalkeeper Roos fumbled a straightforward cross and gifted Posh the equaliser.

Rovers were not deterred and showed plenty of spirit and determination in search of the winner as we piled on the pressure.

Just as it was looking like ending in a draw, we were undone at the back as an uncharacteristic slip by Lockyer saw the ball crossed for the unmarked Nichols to tap in the winner in injury time.

It was a cruel blow for the Gas as it was a decent performance that would have yielded three points on another occasion.

We managed 24 shots with nine on target, compared to Peterborough’s 10 shots with three on target, but it was not meant to be.

Rovers aimed to bounce back from defeat as Fleetwood Town were the visitors to the Mem on Tuesday night.

It didn’t begin well as the visitors took the lead in the fourth minute. But another fine display got its reward this time as goals from Taylor and Montano secured a 2-1 victory to lift the Pirates into fifth place.

Rovers take a break from league action on Saturday as we head to Crawley in the first round of the FA Cup.