After several seasons looking pensively over our shoulders at the wrong end of the League One table it’s refreshing for Gasheads to be looking upwards towards the promised land of the play-off positions, writes Steve Knowlson.

Yes, I realise it’s still early in the season and other teams have at least a game in hand over the boys in blue and white quarters, but after beating AFC Wimbledon 3-1 - our second away win in a row - last Saturday it’s great to see Bristol Rovers in 8th and just a point off the top six.

Rovers won the hard way after falling behind to a Marcus Forss strike 20 minutes into the game. The Gas defence switched off at a throw-in allowing the in-form Wombles striker to curl a 20-yard effort past Jaakkola and into the net – Forss picked up a yellow card for his ‘excessive celebration’.

Just nine minutes later we equalised after fine work by Nichols who put in a wonderful cross for a diving Abu Ogogo to head into the home side’s goal.

After going into the break at 1-1 the game turned during 10 minutes midway through the second half. Jaakkola made two stunning saves to deny Forss on the hour mark before the Dons striker received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow for fouling Jonson Clarke-Harris. Our previous attempt to break down 10 men against Accrington ended in a draw but we made no mistake this time.

Clarke-Harris continued his fabulous goal scoring form rather fortuitously after the home keeper carried the ball over the line following a header from the Rovers marksman to hand us the advantage – a goal that caused outrage on the Wimbledon bench as they claimed their keeper was fouled by Gas sub Tyler Smith – but the goal stood.

Rovers confirmed the win when Tony Craig added the third three minutes from time heading home a Liam Sercombe cross from close range.

Despite some grumblings from the terraces about Graham Coughlan’s tactics and his perceived lack of charisma after Darrell Clarke’s reign, the gaffer’s side is gelling well and are becoming a force to be reckoned with in League One.

Rovers welcome Chelsea Under-21s for an EFL trophy fixture in the week before entertaining Rotherham in the league this Saturday.