By Nathan Jackson
May 13 2007

A defensive mistake proved the difference between Bristol Rovers and Lincoln City on Saturday evening. Rovers took an early lea before Hughes equalised for City. Rovers scored early in the second half to take a 2-1 lead into the second leg. There was little to choose between the sides and it was hardly surprisingly that it took a mistake to seperate them.

City kicked off the game and had the first chance when a free kick was awarded about 25 yards out from goal. Forrester stepped up but his free kick went well over the bar. Some neat football from City appeared to find a way behind the defence, but overhit passes meant the balls went straight to Steve Phillips.

Richard Walker had Bristol Rovers' first effort but his ambitious overhead kick went over the bar. It wasn't long before Bristol Rovers found the right side of the bar though as a Rickie Lambert cross was headed into the net by Craig Disley to give Bristol Rovers the lead. The former Mansfield midfielder almost joined the Imps before last season but City refused to match his wage demands of £4,500 a week. It was also the first time that City had failed to be the first team to score in the away legs.

City had a good chance to equalise soonafterwards when a clever chip from Kerr found Hughes. The midfielder got behind the defence and tried to lob Steve Phillips, the ball went over the goalkeeper but also millimetres wide of the post. Brown gave away a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area after a very dangerous challenge on Lewis Haldane, the foul saw Brown booked. Rickie Lambert stepped up to the free kick but blasted it over.

A Scott Kerr header back into the crowded area saw Beevers find himself behind the defence and with a good chance, he under-estimated how much time he had available and his header went just wide of the target. It wasn't long before City got their first chance on target as a foul on Hughes on the right gave City a free kick. Hughes stepped up and curled the ball towards the back post, it missed everyone and went into the goal to deservedly bringing the Imps level.

It wasn't long before City were behind the Rovers' defence yet again, but the pass was overhit and went straight to Phillips. The goalkeeper almost cost his team another goal as he failed to deal with a corner that fell into a crowded box, it was eventually cleared by Rovers but the keeper was having a shocker.

City dominated for the next 10 minutes but then Haldane almost regained Rovers' lead just before half time and only a fantastic save from Marriott kept him out. That was the final action of a half that was just edged by the Imps.

Rovers started the second half brightly, Lambert and Jacobson both wasting early chances. Stallard's effort went wide of the target for the Imps. From the resulting goalkick Rovers won a free kick. Elliott took it quickly and found Richard Walker at the back post. A completely unmarked Walker had no trouble in putting the ball into the net to restore Bristol Rovers' lead.

City almost immediately pulled level but Stallard and Hughes go in each other's way 6 yards from goal. Stallard was replaced by Martin Gritton, making his first appearance for City since returning from his loan-spell at Mansfield.

The game turned into a sloppy affair of mistimed tackles and misplaced passes and it seemed like a long time before Mendes replaced Forrester in the 74th minute. Lambert replaced Rigg for Rovers. The first realistic shot from either side since the goal came 30 minutes after it. It fell to Hughes but he sent the ball wide of the target. Igoe replaced Haldane.

THe final chance of the game fell City's way, a cross into the box was heading to Beevers but the defender failed to connect with the ball and it ran clear. Within a minute the final whistle went and Rovers went into the second leg with a single goal advantage.