After climbing to the top of the table last weekend, Rover's had the very tricky yet very short trip to make, to play promotion favourites, Elephant & Castle FC, as they looked to hold on to their lofty position.
The Blues had to make several enforced changes with Matt Wallis, Andrew Clarke and Jason Bewick all coming in to the side, to replace the injured Manu Falcao and the missing Liam Harris and Timothy Hodge. Wayne Pottle returned in between the sticks, replacing Geoff Green, who was still struggling with a long term knee injury.
The match started brightly for both clubs, as the 2 teams dismissed any fears of this being a tight, cagey affair. It was the vistitors who made the early breakthrough, when after 10 minutes of the match, Rover's top scorer, Tiernan Boland, cut through the Elephant back four to slot the ball past the helpless keeper.
The game continued to be an open affair and Rover's were left to rue a couple of good chances they had to increase their lead, and were guilty of unproffesionalism, when the home side drew level from a corner after 20 minutes, as Rovers stood still waiting for a referee's whistle, which never came.
The visitors stuck to their task and found themselves back in front 10 minutes later, when Micky Cross notched his th goal of the season, as the visitors looked to go into the break with the advantage. Unfortunatley for them, Elephant had other ideas, and the 2 sides went into half time level, after Rovers failed to clear their lines.
The 2nd half started where the first had finished, as both sides again looked to take the game to their opponents. Elephant finally found themselves in front, 10 minutes into the half, after they broke clear of the Rovers' defense, to go 3-2 up.
The match then entered a bit of a stalemate as the chances at both ends seemed to dry up. Rovers were dealt a cruel blow on the hour mark when influential midfielder, Jamie Feltner had to be carried off the field of play injured and was replaced by Neal Pound.
Rovers were however given a lifeline, with only 20 minutes remaining when striker, Tiernan Boland, was ajudged to have been fouled in the Elephant area, and was then given the task of drawing the Blues level from the spot, which he duely did.
The game then looked destined for a draw as both sides began to tire in the afternoon heat, but with only 5 minutes remaining, Rovers were denied the point they deserved from the match, when the home side fired the winner from the penalty spot, after Mark Leonard was penalised for a challenge on the edge of the area.
It was harsh on the makeshift Blues who had battled tremendously against top oppositon but Rovers will know that they have nothing to fear from any side in the crucial run in, and will look forward to several key players returning, over the next week or so.
The result sees Elephant & Castle replace Rovers at the top of the table and the Blues must now try to bounce back, when they face yet another promotion rival, RF Saints, at the British Sugar Ground on Tuesday night.
