Bristol Rovers see off nine-man Tranmere

Posted Wednesday, August 21, 2019 by PA

Bristol Rovers claimed their first Sky Bet League One victory of the season with a 2-0 victory over nine-man Tranmere, who had Corey Blackett-Taylor and Oliver Banks sent off at the Memorial Stadium.

The hosts had much the better of the first half and should have gone ahead on the half hour when Josh Hare crossed for the unmarked Tyler Smith, who headed wide from a central position 10 yards out.

The home side took the lead after 38 minutes when Hare crossed from the right and Jonson Clarke-Harris rose above his marker to head back across goal and just inside the far post.

Blackett-Taylor was the first player to see red three minutes after the break for irresponsibly raising an arm into Ollie Clarke’s face and felling the Rovers player right in front of referee Gavin Ward.

Banks collected a second caution for a foul on Luke Leahy just before the hour mark, leaving the visitors with a near-impossible task.

And – with Tranmere down to nine men – Smith made sure of the points from the penalty spot after 88 minutes, sending goalkeeper Scott Davies the wrong way after he was brought down by George Ray.