Following an absence of 35 days, Bristol Rovers finally returned to League Two action at the Mem and – despite opponents Hartlepool United controlling large periods of the game – they secured a vital three points thanks to two late goals from Aaron Collins and Antony Evans.
It was not the performance many Gasheads were anticipating when they saw the names on the team sheet which included Connor Taylor and Josh Grant returning from their respective injuries and a debut for January signing Ryan Loft.
In practice, Joey Barton's attacking approach did not deliver the fluid performance he hoped, but his players remained dogged and stayed in the game – thanks to some fine goalkeeping from James Belshaw – before seizing victory late in the day.
