It's another victory on home soil for Daniel Stendel's side!
A frighteningly good strike from Alex Mowatt was enough to give the Reds all three points here at Oakwell.
In what was a tense contest from the outset, Mowatt’s goal after eleven minutes sees Daniel Stendel’s side climb up to fourth place in Sky Bet League One.
The German Head Coach made two changes to his side following Tuesday night’s defeat against Shrewsbury and his side responded with a professional performance to keep out the opposition.
Dani Pinillos replaced Ben Williams at left back and George Moncur came in for the injured Kenny Dougall.
An uneventful opening ten minutes was quickly changed when Brad Potts laid the ball to Mowatt twenty yards from goal, the midfielder hit it first time on his left foot and found the top right-hand corner to give the reds the lead.
However, both sides failed to create much in the way of chances early on and the game settled in to a pattern, with the reds controlling possession of the ball.
The half hour mark seemed to spark life in to our visitors, as several chances fell their way. Ex-Red Stefan Payne was thwarted twice in a matter of minutes by Adam Davies.
The first save coming from a half volley to the right of the box, followed by a smart stop to deny Payne from close range. The rebound was well blocked by the man of the match Liam Lindsay and this ensured the reds lead at the break.
Half Time: Reds 1-0 Bristol Rovers
The reds enjoyed a few chances as the game got back underway, but it was their ability to thwart the opposition that won them the game.
In a second half that became hectic at time’s, the reds could have killed the game. George Moncur had a shot blocked off the line and substitute Mamadou Thiam crashed a free kick off the bar having been fouled moments earlier.
The Gas had their best chance to nick a point when they broke with Ryan Bennett, the winger cut inside Lindsay and curled a shot just wide of Davies’ left-hand post.
Tempers flared as the game reached its conclusion as it appeared Pinillos took an elbow to the head, but no free kick was given by the referee.
Despite Rovers best efforts, the reds held firm and managed the game well to secure all three points.
The perfect response by Daniel Stendel and his players after a difficult week, as we remain undefeated at Oakwell since March.
Full Time: Reds 1-0 Bristol Rovers
REDS XI: Davies (GK), Cavaré, Pinnock, Lindsay, Pinillos, McGeehan, Moncur, Mowatt, Potts, Bähre, Moore.
Subs: Kendrick (GK), Jackson, Bird, B.Williams, Thiam, Hedges, Brown.
GAS XI: Bonham (GK), Leadbitter, Lockyer, Craig, Sercombe, Clarke, Lines, Reilly, Kelly, Payne, Clarke.
Subs: Smith (GK), Upson, Jakubiak, Partington, Bennett, Matthews, Rodman.
