Bristol Rovers made matters more difficult than they needed to be, but Joey Barton's side took care of business at Colchester United on Wednesday, booking their place in the third round of the EFL Trophy.
The stats suggested a dominant performance, with Rovers bossing possession and keeping their hosts at the JobServe Community Stadium to a single shot on target, but the Gas did not capitalise on their control and penalties seven minutes from time were a very real possibility when Freddie Sears cancelled out James Conolly's opener.
Rovers have already lost a shootout in this competition, losing out on a bonus point at Plymouth Argyle in the group stage, and they were desperate to avoid another on a night when for so long they were a class above and cruising to victory.
