THE GAME
A second half goal from Luke McCormick ensured that Rovers took all three points on the road for the second time this season.
Manager Matt Taylor made just the one change to his starting XI, bringing Taylor Moor back into the side in place of Bryant Bilongo.
It was the home side on the front foot in the early stages of the game and they forced three corners in the opening six minutes, all well defended by Rovers.
A first opportunity for Rovers arrived in the 17th minute when Clinton Mola played in Chris Martin but he was unable to get a shot away following a timely intervention by defender Frazer Blake-Tracy.
Mansfield might have taken the lead on 28 minutes, but Will Evans hit a shot high and wide of the target after being played in by Keanu Baccus.
Josh Griffiths then saved a headed effort from Baccus but although the home side continued to attack for much of the remainder of the first half, they were unable to penetrate Rovers rearguard.
It was four minutes into the second half when what turned out to be the only goal of the game arrived. It was created by Isaac Hutchinson, who crossed from the left and found the unmarked McCormick who comfortably netted from close range.
As the home side went in search of an equaliser, Griffiths did well to save a powerful shot from Evans. They almost levelled on 82 minutes when Elliot Hewitt’s cross from the right reached Stephen McLaughlin and he pulled the ball back to Evans who was unable to direct his shot on target.
Nigel Clough’s side thought they had equalised in the final minute of the game but although George Maris beat Griffiths and netted what was thought to be a goal, was chalked off as Ben Waine was adjudged to have handled in the build up.
That was the final action in the game and Rovers returned to Bristol to prepare for the visit of Blackpool on Tuesday
THEY SAID WHAT?
‘It was magnificent. We were strong and solid throughout, especially in the first half. We just needed to improve our ball use and we did that in the second half, for a 20 minute period and got our goal.
I’m deighted for that group of playersand the fans because we haven’t quite been good enough away from home this season, but we are moving in the right direction. Hopefully this is the startof something a little bit more in terms of improvement.
‘Today was massive. Performances, generally, have been getting better. Players, units and partnerships are growing and growing. The fans are massive because with the weather the way it was, and given Mansfield’s start to the season, not many would have made the journey today. And so I’m grateful for those who did and I know the players appreciated the fans today. We were united as a group and as a club and we need to continue that.’ (Rovers manager Matt Taylor)
‘I think we deserved the win. We had to dig in during the first half but, to a man, I thought we were excellent. The boys who started the game and those who came on, all of the staff, we really deserved that. It’s been coming. It was a brilliant away performance and we go again on Tuesday.
‘If you keep doing the right things you’ll get your rewards and that’s what happened today. That’s my game and that’s what I enjoy doing the most. That was a real gytsy performance from everyone. I’ll take the credit for tapping in at the back post but the goal itself was a brilliant training ground goal. The boys at the back, the two boys in midfield, everyone to a man wwere excellent today.
‘It’s the best I’ve felt, probably since I arrived back at the club. I worked really hard in the summer and continue to work hard every day. I’m just trying to enjoy playing every week and competing. Hopefully I can get a few more goals and just keep going.’ (Rovers goalscorer Luke McCormick).
‘On another day you could comfortably win that game two or three nil without doing too much differently. We just need more quality from our strikers. Hopefully it will balance out and we start getting something from the games that our performances deserve.
‘You can’t say we played badly today. We are just not getting the breaks in the penalty area and one bit of quality has defeated us. We had a goal disallowed at the end when Aaron lewis smashed the ball across and it hit Ben Waine’s arm-there was nothing he could do about it. That seems to be the way it’s going at the moment.’ (Mansfield manager Nigel Clough)
