After ending their run of 3 defeats on the trot last time out, Rovers entertained League 2 title rivals, Garboldisham FC, at the Heath, on a blisteringly hot Saturday afternoon.
With Rovers only 3 points ahead of Garby and with the visitors having 2 games in hand on them, the home side new that a win was vital if they wanted to claim top honours at the end of the season.
Rovers' made 1 change from the side that beat Black Boy FC last time out, with Alistair Clarke coming into the starting line up to replace the missing Lee Glacken.
With the sun beating down the match began very tentatively as both sides concentrated more on defense than attack. The match took on a very scrappy approach as both sides failed to get their passing games going and with the home side in particular being guilty of far too many hopeful long balls pumped up to the frontmen. The game certainly saw plenty of effort from both sides but that killer pass or the composure needed in front of goal when it mattered was sadly lacking for both teams.
With very few clear cut chances presenting themselves to either side, the 1st half petered out as both sides toiled in the sweltering heat.
Rovers' boss Paul Winstone, demanded more composure and calmness when in possession of the ball, from his side after the restart, confident that doing so would see them victorious at the end of the 90 minutes.
Despite his words the 2nd half began in very much the same vein as the 1st half had ended, as again, both sides really got into their stride, although the visitors were looking the slightly more dangerous coming forward.
The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark, slightly against the run of play, when Andrew Clarke burst into the visitors area and found the time and space to poke the ball into the far corner of the net to put the home side 1 up in the tie.
Garby continued to pose the greater threat, despite going a goal down and were able to draw level just 5 minutes later when the ball was slotted home from close range, after Rovers had wasted several chances to clear the ball.
The goal seemed to knock Rovers' confidence and they began looking tired and heavy footed as they toiled in the hot sun. Garby, who now had a spring in their step, took full charge of the match and looked the more likely to get the next goal, if indeed there was to be one.
That goal came 15 minutes from time after a long, high goal kick was misjudged by Geoff Green at the heart of the Rovers' defense, leaving the Garby forward to sprint clear and slot the ball past Wayne Pottle in the home goal.
Rovers were unable to pick themselves up after going behind and the visitors once again looked the most likely to score in the last 15 minutes. Despite this there was no further change to the score and the game ended with the visitors taking the vital 3 points.
Rovers could have no complaints at the final whistle as they had simply been below par on the day and had been beaten by the better side.
The defeat sees Rovers replaced at the top of League 2 by Garboldisham and leaves Rovers title aspirations hanging by a thread. They must now try to pick themselves up for a tricky away fixture against Wickhambrook FC next weekend.
