Accrington Stanley 1 - 0 Bristol Rovers: Sean McConville on target as Accrington see off Bristol Rovers

Sean McConville scored the winning goal as Accrington overcame their promotion rivals Bristol Rovers 1-0.

The winger cut inside in the 69th minute to fire home into the bottom corner of the net as the Reds moved up to fifth place in the league - just two points behind the Pirates with four games in hand.

It was a first half of few chances with in-form Shay McCartan having an 11th-minute opportunity for Stanley but he headed inches wide while the unmarked Rory Gaffney did the same at the other end.

The best chance of the half fell to Stanley left-back Adam Buxton who tested goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall with a fierce 20-yard strike on 40 minutes, which the shot-stopper did well to push out.

Both sides were livelier after the break, with a couple of goalmouth scrambles which just needed a touch.

Stanley began to get on top and Mildenhall denied McConville from point-blank range after the winger had got on the end of Buxton's free-kick on 62 minutes.

But he could do nothing to stop the goal and, despite a triple substitution from Rovers boss Darrell Clarke on 76 minutes, it was Stanley who continued to press.

Matt Crooks missed a gilt-edged chance to put the game out of reach when he ballooned over an open goal from four yards out.