Joey Barton insists Bristol Rovers are “moving in the right direction” after ending an eight-match losing streak with a 1-0 win over Oldham.A 35th-minute header from Harvey Saunders, his first goal for the club, proved enough for a deserved three points.It was Rovers’ first home goal in well over eight hours of football at the Memorial Stadium and the first-half display, in par...Full Story »

Manager Micky Mellon hailed goalkeeper Joe Murphy as Tranmere maintained their record of not conceding a league goal this season with a 0-0 draw at Swindon.Murphy made two superb saves to claim his third clean sheet in as many matches.Mellon said: “I think it’s every credit to both sets of players. They both went at it from the first whistle.“A 0-0 draw does not reflect how the...Full Story »

A first-half goal from Harvey Saunders proved enough to give Bristol Rovers a 1-0 League Two victory over Oldham at the Memorial Stadium.Saunders broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, powerfully heading home Harry Anderson’s left-wing cross, with the ball taking a deflection on its way in.The strike ended an eight-match losing streak for Joey Barton’s men, stretching back to last se...Full Story »

Goalkeeper Joe Murphy was the hero as Tranmere’s early-season run of not conceding continued as they saw out a 0-0 draw at Swindon.Murphy made two excellent saves to register his third clean sheet in as many league games.In the 69th minute, Harry McKirdy was played in one-on-one by Jack Payne before being denied brilliantly by Murphy.Seven minutes later, Murphy kept out McKirdy again after...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers are expected to be without striker Brandon Hanlan again as they bid for their first win of the season against Oldham.Rovers are reported to have turned down a bid from Lincoln for Hanlan, who has not appeared for the club this season due to a knee injury.Boss Joey Barton is short of strikers, with summer signing Brett Pitman’s club debut still on hold due to an ankle injury....Full Story »

Darrell Clarke could not hide his frustration after his Port Vale side had failed to find a breakthrough in their goalless League Two draw at home to Tranmere.The Valiants had created by far the better chances but a combination of poor finishing, good saves by Rovers goalkeeper Joe Murphy and plain bad luck denied them a first victory of the season.And the Vale boss admitted he was much happier ...Full Story »

Forest Green boss Rob Edwards admitted he cannot believe his luck with the squad he has inherited after continuing his fine start in senior management with a 3-1 win at Walsall.Rovers made it two League Two wins out of two under Edwards, appointed as Mark Cooper’s successor in the summer, thanks to Matty Stevens’ double and a Jamille Matt strike.Victory puts Rovers – play-off s...Full Story »

Stevenage boss Alex Revell hailed the contribution of former Bristol Rovers player Chris Lines after watching his side steal the points with two late goals.The experienced midfielder, who served the Pirates for the best part of 10 years in two spells, declined to celebrate after volleying his side in front following an 88th-minute corner.But Lines pulled the strings throughout and substitute Luk...Full Story »

Port Vale collected their first point of the new League Two season as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Tranmere.Darrell Clarke’s side will feel they should have taken all three points but they failed to turn their dominance into goals.Port Vale started brightly but Devante Rodney’s cross hit the crossbar is their closest chance to break the deadlock.Tranmere’s best ...Full Story »

Kane Hester scored a hat-trick to help Elgin beat Albion Rovers 3-0 as they climbed up to fourth in the cinch League Two table.The forward netted two goals in the first half before grabbing his third two minutes into the second half to earn all three points for his side.Annan beat Stirling 3-1, with Chris Johnston opening the home side’s account in the 22nd minute before team-mate Iain And...Full Story »

Chris Lines scored against his old club as Stevenage claimed a 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers.The experienced midfielder declined to celebrate after firing home Ben Coker’s cross following an 88th-minute corner to break the deadlock.Stevenage sealed the points in stoppage time when Jake Reeves broke out of defence and fed substitute Luke Norris and he coolly slotted home.Boss Joey Barton fielde...Full Story »

Port Vale are hopeful Tom Conlon will be available for Saturday’s visit of Tranmere.The midfielder was absent from the midweek defeat to Sunderland in the Carabao Cup because of a niggle but it is hoped he will be fine to face Rovers.Striker Devante Rodney was also absent against the Black Cats because of a knock but he too is likely to be in contention this weekend, while midfielder Jake ...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers are again without captain Paul Coutts for the visit of Stevenage in Sky Bet League Two.The veteran midfielder is serving the second game of his three-match ban for his sending off in last weekend’s season-opening loss at Mansfield.Manager Joey Barton has been without a number of players at the start of the campaign but Sam Nicholson, Alex Rodman and Sam Finley are pushing to...Full Story »

Oldham assistant head coach Colin West saluted his team’s character as they recovered from a two-goal deficit to eventually edge out Tranmere 4-3 on penalties in the Carabao Cup first round.The game ended 2-2 after 90 minutes before Danny Rogers saved spot-kicks from Paul Glatzel and Peter Clarke in the shoot-out.Standing in for Covid-hit boss Keith Curle, West said: “It’s alwa...Full Story »

Oldham edged out League Two rivals Tranmere 4-3 on penalties following a thrilling Carabao Cup first-round tie at Boundary Park.The game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes before Oldham keeper Danny Rogers saved penalties from Paul Glatzel and Peter Clarke in the dramatic shoot-out.With boss Keith Curle absent after testing positive for Covid-19 earlier in the day, Oldham started brightly under the g...Full Story »

Oldham are hoping to have more players available for their Carabao Cup clash against Tranmere.Due to Covid-19 protocols and self-isolation, the Latics were without some of their first-team players in their League Two opening-day fixture against Newport, which they lost 1-0.Oldham made several signings on Saturday, including goalkeeper Danny Rogers, midfielders Ousseynou Cisse and Jamie Bowden pl...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton will use the depth of his squad for the Carabao Cup first-round clash with Cheltenham.Barton has signalled his intention to involve those players who did not feature in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Mansfield, during which skipper Paul Coutts was sent off.Strikers Brett Pitman (ankle) and Aaron Collins (thigh) are unlikely to be involved and defender Trevor Clark...Full Story »

Micky Mellon was impressed with what he saw from Tranmere as they opened the season with a 1-0 win over Walsall, in a game that saw Premier League referee Mike Dean officiate his own team.Rovers fan Dean stepped out of the home stands after half time when an assistant referee pulled his hamstring and, after consulting the Walsall bench, took over as fourth official.Callum McManaman stroked home ...Full Story »

Danny Johnson scored a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage-time as Mansfield beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 in Sky Bet League Two.A brilliant individual goal from Cian Harries looked to have rescued a 1-1 draw for Rovers but debutant Johnson kept his cool to send the goalkeeper the wrong way after Oli Hawkins had been tugged in the box by Mark Hughes.The visitors played the last 13 minutes with 10 ...Full Story »

Fuming Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton criticised referee Josh Smith after his 10-man side lost 2-1 to Mansfield after a late penalty.The game was level at 1-1 when Paul Coutts was sent off for an off-the-ball incident involving Danny Johnson in the 77th minute.The Stags then won it six minutes into stoppage-time as Johnson scored from the spot after Mark Hughes had tugged Oli Hawkins.“We ...Full Story »