ROVERS were made to pay for a below-par performance against Dover on Saturday as a late equaliser earnt the visitors a share of the spoils.

The high-tempo starts of recent games that had put the opposition firmly on the back foot were nowhere to be seen as the Pirates produced a more lacklustre display than we have been used to seeing.

Dover did not offer much but battled hard throughout and gained their reward by the end.

Rovers should have had far too much for our part-time opponents but never really got out of second gear.

Defensively we were rarely troubled as Dover looked content to try to gain a point.

Puddy made one excellent save but the stand-in goalkeeper, replacing the suspended Mildenhall, did not have a busy afternoon between the sticks.

Sinclair as usual was the standout performer in midfield, as the wingers failed to carve out enough opportunities for the front men and Mansell, who has caught the eye in recent games, was more subdued.

Cunnington worked hard and won his customary amount of balls in the air, as well as opening the scoring for the Gas in the first half, but his strike partner Taylor toiled away without greatly troubling the Dover back line. He also failed to convert an excellent one-on-one chance in the second half that would have sealed the victory.

The whole performance suggested complacency had crept in following our fine recent run and it will be crucial to stamp this out and raise our game if we are not to squander more points.

Rovers had a chance to make amends with another home fixture on Tuesday night, with Dartford the visitors. Taylor scored a penalty in the first half to put the Pirates in front.

It was a familiar story as Rovers were unable to add to their lead but fortunately this time, we were able to hang on for the victory that lifts us into the play-off zone in fourth.

Another three points at Aldershot on Saturday would help us to consolidate that position among the promotion-chasers.