Trollope: We deserved a point

Coca-Cola League One Bristol Rovers 1 Scunthorpe United 2

ROVERS’ bid to bounce back from their third cup elimination in the first round foundered against an impressive Scunthorpe who went back to the top of League One with this victory, taking their unbeaten run to eight games.

Yet once more home coach Paul Trollope reckoned his side deserved a point, though United boss Nigel Adkins thought his team merited their win.

A largely even first half saw goal line clearances at either end and both sides rattled the goal frames but Scunthorpe went in one up with a goal via a deflection which was decidedly unlucky on Rovers.

Steve Elliott, who passed a late fitness test to play in place of the suspended Byron Anthony, sent off in the FA Cup defeat at Bournemouth, saved Rovers after 12 minutes with a last-ditch blocking of David Mirfin’s drive. A minute later Jeff Hughes appeared to have successfully chipped goalkeeper Joe Murphy, only for Sam Tognell to nod clear as he fell.

On 31 minutes Martyn Woolford was denied brilliantly by Steve Phillips who touched his goal-bound drive onto an upright. Two minutes later Rickie Lambert blasted a 30-yard free-kick onto the angle of bar and post.

Five minutes before the break Grant McCann’s 25-yard free-kick was viciously deflected beyond a helpless Phillips. Jeff Hughes, last man in the defensive wall, admitted: “It came off me so I’m not feeling great at the moment.”

Rovers threatened right from the restart and on 56 minutes Lambert stole in at the far post for a stooping header to claim his 16th goal of the season, Craig Disley providing the cross from the right after Aaron Lescott had smartly switched play from the other flank.

But six minutes later Rovers conceded possession on the halfway line and it proved costly, Izzy Iriekpen tapping in Gary Hooper’s low cross from the right after Phillips had been drawn out of position. It could have been worse two minutes later when central defender Iriekpen found himself in yards of space but managed only to head over.

Rovers swapped Chris Lines for Darryl Duffy and Jo Kuffour for Ben Hunt to provide a three-man attack in a bid to salvage a point but the United rearguard were uncompromising and when Rovers were in shooting range Murphy cut out key crosses, notably from Lescott.

Rovers have faced the top two in their last couple of league games, having gone down to two very late goals at Leicester a fortnight ago. Trollope said: “It’s frustrating when you come off thinking you should have got something.”

Rovers: Phillips; Ryan Green, Hinton, Elliott, Lescott; Disley, Lines (Duffy 68 min), Campbell, Hughes; Lambert, Kuffour (Hunt 68 min). Subs not used: Mike Green, Parrinello, Reece.

Attendance: 7,173.

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