Managerless Bristol Rovers halt Pilgrims’ progress

Posted Wednesday, December 18, 2019 by PA

Managerless Bristol Rovers secured an FA Cup third round tie at home to Coventry following a 1-0 replay win at Sky Bet League Two Plymouth.

Rovers’ winner came in fortuitous fashion as home defender Scott Wootton’s clearance looped up off Cameron Hargreaves and fell invitingly for wing-back Alex Rodman to head home at the far post in the 68th minute.

The Greens had the better of the first half with Antoni Sarcevic going close, Gary Sawyer seeing a goal-bound header deflected over by defender Alfie Kilgour and Anssi Jaakkola going full-stretch to keep out Dom Telford’s shot.

Rovers’ Finnish goalkeeper Jaakkola clawed Josh Grant’s effort onto a post after 57 minutes. The rebound found its way to Telford, who fired over from six yards.

The visitors responded through Rodman, whose rising shot from inside the box was turned around the post by Alex Palmer.

On the hour, Tyler Smith cut in from the left and fired just wide.

After going a goal down, Argyle took the game to their League One visitors, with George Cooper going close with a shot from the left, but it was not to be for Ryan Lowe’s side.