The taste of defeat has been rare for Bristol Rovers since the turn of the year, beaten just once in 13 League Two games before suffering a setback in their promotion bid at Newport County.James Waite’s fierce strike on 33 minutes was the only goal of the game as Rovers failed to find the back of the net in the league for just the fifth time this season.
Both Newport and the Gas had chances on a sunny yet brisk afternoon in South Wales. Finn Azaz and Jake Cain both struck the post either side of half time for Newport, while Sam Nicholson was guilty of spurning a good opportunity for the Gas in the first half before Nick Townsend's stoppage-time acrobatics denied Luca Hoole a last-gasp equaliser.
The Pirates' unbeaten streak of six games came to an end at Rodney Parade, but there are still 36 points up for grabs and the confidence in Joey Barton’s squad should not be dampened. Optimism remains that they will reach the play-offs, but here are some of the moments you may have missed on an afternoon to forget across the Severn Bridge...
