Steve Evans shuffled his pack again for the visit of Salford City, to no avail unfortunately as he saw his side slip to a fourth successive defeat in the league as the visitors ran out 2-1 winners.
The changes saw Alfie Kilgour, Jack Sparkes and Ellis Harrison return in place of Ben Purrington, Richie Smallwood and Bobby Kamwa.
However, Rovers found themselves behind after just six minutes when Brendan Wiredu curled home a fantastic shot from some 20 yards and Salford continued to force Rovers on the back foot as they went in search of a second goal.
It arrived with 20 minutes on the clock. Luke Moyneux outpaced Jack Sparkes down the right and drove the ball into the area where Daniel Udoh managed to force the ball home from close range. It might have been three had Luke Garbutt not fired into the side netting when well placed.
Shaq Forde did have an opportunity to pull a goal back but hit a tame left foot shot straight at Will Norris when well placed. Hard as they tried against a slick Salford outfit, Rovers were unable to create anything else in a disappointing first half showing.
Whatever was said in the dressing room interval seemed to work, though, as Rovers looked a different proposition at the start of the second half. Ciaran Kelly hit a shot over the bar and Forde struck a shot straight at Norris.
When Clinton Mola was fouled in the box, Rovers were awarded a penalty, but the usually reliable Ellis Harrison struck his spot kick against the crossbar and the ball rebounded to safety. Just a couple of minutes later, thought, they did score when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box and Sparkes stepped up to fire his effort into the back of the Salford net.
They kept pressing for an equaliser and both Tom James and Reiss Russell-Denny forced saves from Norris. Kofi Balmer fired over the bar in the closing stages and Brad Young was sent forward for two late corners. A resilient Salford side held out, though, to record their sixth straight win and go four points clear at the top of the table.
‘I think there is no doubt a conversation at half time reflected on how we gave them too much respect as players. We must have been, as a group of players, apprehensive going into the game because it looked that way to me. It looked as if we were trying to overcover and if you do that you give good players time and they will hurt you. And their first goal was a fantastic goal, a fantastic strike, though we should defend slightly better earlier.
‘The second goal, he should never score. He runs Jack Sparkes-that can happen, the ball goes into the box. We’ve got three defenders around their striker, and he gets it in the net and then I think we come into the game ten minutes before half time. Shaq should score, we’ve got the clearest penalty ever, on Alfie, that wasn’t given.
‘We said to the boys that we should play the second half as we finished the first and the crowd will back us and get behind us. You think you have the breakthrough with the penalty with Ellis, and I don’t think I’ve seen Ellis take a penalty like that but he’s a brave boy. He stands up every week for us, and he and Joe get nothing but plaudits from me. Kack Sparkes has a wonderful free kick and, apart from counter attacking when they are breaking we’ve almost laid siege to their box without making the goalkeeper make a wonder save.’ Rovers Manager Steve Evans
‘We were miles off it in the first twenty minutes but then found our way back into the game and Shaq had a good chance which he would have taken on another day. At 2-0 they haven’t created loads but then we had a very good second half. We were chasing the game, and they didn’t look like scoring
‘I think we didn’t work out their shape and how that play quickly enough and didn’t quite get to grips with it. We battered them second half could have had three of four and I’m sure if we keep playing like that then the wins will definitely come.
‘The frustrating thing is that it seems we have to go behind before we start playing we are conceding goals quite easily and we need to find a way to start games better because we are conceding foals quite easily at the moment and we need to find a way to stop that.’ Rovers defender Jack Sparkes
‘It had a bit of everything. I was pleased with our first half performance where we controlled the game and handled their style of play and their characteristics of their team which are physical and aggressive. We moved the ball round well and scored two good goals and we wanted to do more of the same in the second half but credit to them and their supporters for creating an electric atmosphere.
‘And it turned into a bit of an arm wrestle where we couldn’t quite get a grip of the game and we had to roll our sleeves up. Overall our second half performance was defensively resolute, strong and connected and I’m disappointed we didn’t keep a clean sheet. It was a tough away game against a direct opponent, a well coached team and a hostile crowd and the emotion of the stadium that can sway things which can give you a difficult night.
‘It was a strong performance and a good three points and to make it six wins on the spin is a credit to everyone at the club.’ Salford Manager Peter Cklamovski
