Attendance: 6,089 (Away 434)

 

Match Referee: David Foster (Tyne and Wear)

 

 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL MATCH STATISTICS AND TEAM LINE-UPS

 

It was a day of frustration for Rovers as a huff and puff performance was let down badly by a lack of a decent ball in the final third and an inability to finish chances when they came.  This compared to three decent chances for the visitors, one of which resulted in a shock lead against the run of play after just ten minutes.

 

It took until three minutes from time for Rovers to deservedly draw level when a Cobblers defender was penalised for handball and John Mullin, after seeing his penalty saved, converted the rebound.

 

Rovers kept the same eleven that started the 2-1 win over Rotherham on Monday with loanee goalkeeper Joe Hart being watched closely by his Club Manager Stuart Pearce and goalkeeping coach Tim Flowers in the Main Stand.  As in the first meeting this season between the sides, former Rovers player Sam Aiston failed to feature for The Cobblers.

 

Rovers had the better of the opening ten minutes with John Mullin having a shot blocked before Rovers had two appeals for handball in the Northampton penalty area turned down in the space of a few seconds by referee Foster.

 

Chris Shuker was causing problems for the Cobblers defence early on with Doig being booked in the seventh minute following two fouls on the Rovers winger in quick succession.

 

Having dominated the opening eleven minutes, Rovers were stunned when they went behind to the visitors first real attack of the game.  Some good work down the left, saw an excellent ball played into the Rovers penalty area and after a couple of deflections, Scott McGleish was on hand to finish from around six yards and give the Cobblers an undeserved lead.

 

Despite going behind, Rovers continued to dominate the first half with Gareth Taylor heading down well for Chris Greenacre who fired just wide.  Shortly after, Paul McLaren fired wide from distance after the ball fell to him outside the area.

 

Midway through the first half, Rovers captain Shane Sherriff received some lengthy treatment from Les Parry that saw him eventually return to the field with a very fetching bandage on his head.  There was also time for John Mullin to pick up his fifth booking of the season that ensures he misses the trip to Bristol City next Saturday.

 

Chris Shuker was causing problems for the Northampton defence but too often his crosses failed to beat the first man or he would take a bad touch and lose possession of the ball.  In the final minute of the first half though, Shuker was freed down the right and had time to look up and float a perfect ball into the area for John Mullin but the midfielder’s header was weak and straight at Bunn in the Cobblers goal.

 

To be 1-0 down at half-time seemed harsh on Rovers who had dominated the game and had been hit by their opponents only real chance and Rovers began the second half brightly when Chris Shuker was released by a flicked pass from Chris Greenacre.  The winger advanced into the penalty area and beat the goalkeeper, only to see his shot go past the far post and out for a goal kick.

 

Just before the hour, Ronnie Moore unusually made a double substitution with Kevin Ellison replacing Steve Davies on the left of midfield and Calvin Zola coming on to replace the out of sorts Chris Greenacre, a move that lead to some unnecessary booing from the Rovers faithful.

 

The move was a positive one with both Zola and Ellison involved in chances soon after coming on.  Zola headed down well for Gareth Taylor who somewhat scuffed his shot wide of goal before Kevin Ellison volleyed over shortly afterwards.

 

Despite their chances, Rovers had failed to create anything decent and goalbound and as the frustration grew amongst the fans, a chorus of harsh boos began around the ground as the players passed the ball around the defensive midfield area instead of attacking. 

 

In fairness though Northampton by this time were making it hard for Rovers by putting almost every man behind the ball and forcing the home side to try and break them down, something that the men in white failed to do until they finally got the break they deserved four minutes from time.

 

A cross from the right from Chris Shuker who had been ineffective for most of the second half, was met by Zola with an attempted overhead kick.  Although Zola seemed to scuff the ball slightly it deflected off the hand of a Cobblers defender and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

 

Just as he had done in the first meeting of the two Clubs earlier this season when Rovers won 3-1, John Mullin stepped up to take what was frankly a poor penalty but Rovers found fortune when Bunn failed to hold the ball and Mullin fired home the rebound to make it 1-1.

 

There was little action after the equaliser but there was still time for more bad news for Rovers as Robbie Stockdale joined John Mullin in picking up his fifth booking of the season meaning that he too will miss the trip to Ashton Gate next Saturday.

 

In the end Rovers deserved at least a draw for their approach play if nothing else but more work is clearly needed, from Chris Shuker and the strikers especially, if Rovers are to make the promotion play-offs in May.

 

 

Paul McLaren – Once again McLaren was arguably the best Rovers player on the pitch although on loan keeper Joe Hart also looked comfortable despite having little to do at times in the game.

 

 

 

"It was a sloppy goal, there's no doubt about that.  One ball shouldn't beat the whole back four.  After that Joe hasn't had a save to make.  The crowd got a bit frustrated, and we didn't take the opportunities when they came.”

“We got in good areas but didn't deliver the crosses.  We need more from Shukes.  Everyone goes away and thinks about Shukes, he gets Man of the Match in every room, and he catches the eye.  But there's still a lot more he needs to do to improve his game.  He's our match winner, and he gave them a torrid time, without really delivering enough quality for us.”

"I felt there was a penalty in the first half, I thought that was more blatant than the one that was given.”

"There wasn't a great deal wrong with us.  We showed guts and determination and kept going until the end.  We murdered them without being ruthless enough in their box.  We were the better side by a mile.”

"They've got as good an away record as everyone in the league, so it was never going to be an easy game."

Repsonding to the suspensions picked up by Bookings for Robbie Stockdale and John Mullin, Ronnie said:

"Danny is fit, Jennings is fit and McAteer is training.  The little problem we have is at right back, but Tremarco has played there at Brentford and did brilliantly.  It's a tasty game."

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