Rovers travelled to Beck Row for what is always a tough fixture for them, looking to notch up their 7th consecutive win and looking to cement their position at the top of League 2.
The Blues made 2 changes from the side that beat Black Eagles the previous Saturday with Jamie Davis returning to the centre of midfield and Andrew Clarke replacing the missing Rob Green at left back.
The match began with both sides looking to take an early advantage but the early exchanges found both defences comfortably on top.
The deadlock was broken however on the quarter hour mark when Micky Cross found the ball at his feet and his back to goal but was somehow able to create enough room for himself to turn and fire Rovers into the lead from close range. The goal sees the Rover's frontman extend his amazing club record of scoring now in 7 consecutive league matches.
The goal really seemed to settle The Blues down and they then went on to have the lion's share of possession in the first half and were disappointed to reach the break without extending their lead further.
Rovers took to the field after the re-start looking to press home their advantage and kill the game off......Their hosts however had other ideas!
Ten minutes into the 2nd half the game changed direction completely when the Rover's back four did not get close enough to one of Beck Row's front two following a goal kick, and he was able to turn with the ball and unleash a screamer from fully 30 yards to give Dave Clarke in the Rover's goal no chance.
Five minutes later The Blues found themselves behind in the game for the 1st time when a hard but fair challenge by Manu Falcao in the Rover's area was seen very differently by the referee who did not hesitate in pointing at the spot and resulted in Clarke being sent the wrong way from the resulting penalty.
Suddenly going behind so quickly knocked The Blues confidence and despite trying to get back into the match, the game was decided ten minutes later when a silly free kick was given away just outside the Rover's box. The set piece was then expertly dispatched into the far corner of The Blues net to make the points safe for the home side.
Rover's disappointment was complete five minutes from the end when Clarke was unable to deal with an in-swinging corner and the ball was dropped by the normally safe hands of The Blues keeper to present Beck Row with a tap in for their 4th goal of the afternoon.
As disappointing as the result was the number of cards picked up by both sides during what was far from a dirty match, between 2 good sides in a keenly contested encounter.
A disappointed Paul Winstone, was keen to point out that all good runs of form come to an end at some point and that the true test of a team's character comes from how they respond to a set back like this.
The result sees Rovers slip to 2nd in the table on goal difference but they will be hoping for a quick return to the top when they entertain bottom club Hopton, at The Heath next Saturday.
