A very wet Eco-Power Stadium was home to more late drama as Rovers took a deserved three points from a great performance against a fancied Stockport County side.
A dominant display was given a helping hand after only 20 minutes when County defender Macauley Southam-Hales was sent off for an off the ball arm to the face of Tommy Rowe. Rovers capitalised 15 minutes later; a lovely through ball from Tom Anderson (much higher up the pitch than we’re used to seeing, yet something he’s clearly comfortable with) to James Maxwell, who played in George Miller to finish nicely from close range.
Dominant possession continued to half-time, and more of the same was expected to follow. However, a breakaway by County led to substitute Ryan Rydel – brought on to shore up the 10 men after the earlier dismissal – poking an effort through the legs of keeper Jonathan Mitchell, who would have hoped to have done better.
The time-wasting began, as was inevitable from a side in County’s position, but Rovers continued to push on and do everything for 45 minutes apart from find the back of the net. Adam Clayton ran everything through a slick midfield, and Lee Tomlin was excellent throughout, hitting both post and bar.
Finally the winner came in what is fast becoming typical fashion; a stoppage time goal from Kieran Agard sealing all three points. Four stoppage time goals in the last three league games is some feat, but not something my nerves are thankful for.
words and image by Adam Bates
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