Did anyone see that coming? An FA Cup upset can never be written off, but a performance so poor came out of the blue for Bristol Rovers, who were dumped out in the second round by non-league Boreham Wood on Sunday.
The Gas had been beaten just once in their previous 12 games before this dismal display and there were no signs of a shocker incoming. If anything, Rovers looked like they were building towards giving a team a hiding, but the afternoon went perfectly to plan for the National League side, who were well organised in defence, potent from set pieces and knew exactly how to manage a two-goal lead.
Will Evans got the credit for the opener, but it was George Broadbent's shot from a corner routine that deflected beyond James Belshaw off the defender to give Boreham Wood an 18th-minute lead. Their advantage was doubled on the half hour when David Stephens headed home after phase after phase of chaotic defending in the Rovers box after a corner.
