Notts. County 1 Bristol Rovers 2

Last updated : 14 October 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Below-strength Bristol Rovers turned on the style to become the first visitors to win at Meadow Lane since February.

They deserved all three points with a display which belied their poor run of results and their lowly league placing.

They had the game's most cultured player in midfielder Sammy Igoe who demonstrated a level of skill unmatched by anybody else on either side.

With manager Steve Thompson banned from the touchline - and watching from the directors' box - Notts should have been brimful of confidence having lost only once previously this season and having an unbeaten home record.

However, they looked lethargic from the start but Rovers at the beginning were also visibly nervous and Notts created the better of the early chances.

The best finish was produced by Notts captain Alan White, up from a set-piece, whose effort was crucially cleared off the line by the vigilant Chris Carruthers.

Indeed Notts offered most threat from set-pieces, including five first-half corners, but were given a warning when visiting striker Richard Walker flashed the ball into their net only to have it ruled out for offside.

It was Walker who broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half with a fine finish across Kevin Pilkington's goal after a free-kick had been awarded against Mike Edwards in dubious circumstances.

Within two minutes of going behind Notts replaced Tcham N'Toya-Zoa with Junior Mendes who levelled ten minutes after appearing on the scene.

Notts were still celebrating - and were certainly short of concentration - when Rovers got what proved to be the winner in 67 minutes.

Substitute Lewis Haldane skipped past the normally reliable Dan Gleeson and found the far corner of Pilkington's net.

Notts battled to get back on terms but were critically short of creative skill and finishing power and Rovers absorbed with ease all that the Magpies could throw at them.