National League
Bristol RoversBristol Rovers1DartfordDartford0

Bristol Rovers 1-0 Dartford

Matty Taylor
Matty Taylor's second goal of the season helped Bristol Rovers maintain their unbeaten home record in the Conference

Bristol Rovers stretched their unbeaten run to eight Conference games with a nervy win over struggling Dartford.

Matty Taylor's early shot was tipped over by Jason Brown and Neal Trotman fired over for the hosts, while Harry Crawford missed a good Dartford chance.

Rovers went ahead when Rory McAuley fouled Adam Cunnington and Taylor's penalty squirmed past Jason Brown.

Luke Daley's bullet header struck the bar as Dartford pressed, but Rovers soaked up late pressure to hold on.

Darrell Clarke's men have taken advantage of Torquay and Woking's inactivity to move up to fourth in the table, while Dartford drop to 20th.

Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I was anxious - very, very anxious. Dartford were asking questions at 1-0 because they were still in the game.

"But I'm delighted with the three points, especially with Barnet losing as well.

"We're now four points off top spot with 15 games played so I'm over the moon. "

Line-ups

Bristol Rovers

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Mildenhall
  • 3Brown
  • 4Lockyer
  • 6Parkes
  • 15Trotman
  • 7MansellBooked at 79mins
  • 8O Clarke
  • 24Sinclair
  • 16MartinSubstituted forMonkhouseat 66'minutes
  • 10TaylorBooked at 74minsSubstituted forHarrisonat 75'minutes
  • 27Cunnington

Substitutes

  • 5McChrystal
  • 14White
  • 17Harrison
  • 23Monkhouse
  • 25Puddy

Dartford

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Brown
  • 2Bender
  • 3GreenBooked at 52minsSubstituted forHayesat 54'minutes
  • 4McAuley
  • 14Mitchell-King
  • 5Bradbrook
  • 6Cornhill
  • 9Daley
  • 11Harris
  • 17Crawford
  • 23BradbrookSubstituted forPughat 77'minutes

Substitutes

  • 7Hayes
  • 10Pugh
  • 21Ibrahim
  • 27Adams
  • 28Vint
Referee:
Adam Hopkins
Attendance:
5,112

Match Stats

Home TeamBristol RoversAway TeamDartford
Possession
Home50%
Away50%
Shots
Home12
Away9
Shots on Target
Home4
Away5
Corners
Home0
Away0
Fouls
Home8
Away8

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Bristol Rovers 1, Dartford 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Bristol Rovers 1, Dartford 0.

  3. Post update

    Offside, Dartford. Harry Crawford tries a through ball, but Harry Crawford is caught offside.

  4. Post update

    Attempt saved. Luke Daley (Dartford) header from the centre of the box is saved. Assisted by Ryan Hayes with a cross.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Tom Bender (Dartford).

  6. Post update

    Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Stuart Sinclair (Bristol Rovers).

  8. Post update

    Tom Bender (Dartford) wins a free kick.

  9. Post update

    Offside, Dartford. Harry Crawford tries a through ball, but Harry Crawford is caught offside.

  10. Booking

    Lee Mansell (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.

  11. Substitution

    Substitution, Dartford. Andy Pugh replaces Tom Bradbrook.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers).

  13. Post update

    Rory McAuley (Dartford) wins a free kick.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Ellis Harrison replaces Matty Taylor.

  15. Booking

    Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers).

  17. Post update

    Tom Bender (Dartford) wins a free kick.

  18. Post update

    Attempt missed. Luke Daley (Dartford) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Andy Monkhouse replaces Dave Martin.

  20. Post update

    Attempt saved. Adam Cunnington (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.