Rovers extended our unbeaten run to five games in League One with a gritty goalless draw at Accrington last Saturday, writes Stephen Knowlson.

Graham Coughlan’s men headed north to the Wham Stadium looking to pull away from the bottom four but Accrington Stanley are a tricky proposition on their home turf and so it proved. In tricky, blustery conditions Rovers were often under the cosh as the hosts used the conditions to their advantage and attacked with gusto but a solid Gas defence brought a point home.

Central defenders Lockyer and Craig were again in good form, heading away numerous balls and keeping a lid on Stanley’s dangerous front man Billy Kee. When the back line was occasionally breached, Accrington found Rovers’ on-loan keeper, Jack Bonham, in fine form – saving Kee’s 25-yard free kick and then brilliantly denying Luke Armstrong at his near post.

Rovers carried a threat on the break, mainly from surging runs down the wings from Alex Rodman and Tareiq Holmes-Dennis but this was a performance which showcased our defensive qualities. All of the team put a shift in keeping the hosts out and we even could have nicked a win at the end when Liam Sercombe’s free kick was saved by Maxted in the Accrington goal.

Overall, it was a decent point gained and another clean sheet, although we are struggling to put any daylight between us and the bottom four with just one point separating the Gas from 21st place.

It’s clear that we don’t carry enough of a goal threat at the top of the pitch so we need to recruit another striker before the end of the month. With Joe Martin heading back to Stevenage and another possible departure, we may well have the funds to recruit however, Coughlan has made it clear that he will only bring someone in if the right player becomes available.

Away from the league, Gasheads now have the tantalising prospect of a trip to Wembley. After dispatching Northampton in the Checkatrade EFL Trophy, Rovers are now just two games away from the final and host Port Vale in the quarter finals at the Mem on Tuesday 22 January.

Before that we have a huge game on Saturday at home to Wycombe. Three points will be invaluable for our battle against the drop.