Oldham Athletic

A goal in either half from Charlie Colkett and substitute Jake Clarke-Salter sealed the three points for the Gas on a frustrating afternoon for Oldham Athletic.

Manager Stephen Robinson named the same side which beat Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night as Freddie Ladapo and Lee Erwin lead the line.

And it would be the home side which had the first chance of the game on four minutes.

Carl Winchester and Cameron Dummigan combined on the right before Paul Green crossed which Bristol Rovers Kelle Roos had to punch clear of his goal. 

Latics were taking the game to their opponents, forcing a succession of corners before Ladapo powered through the defence but his shot was blocked.

Bristol Rovers started to take control of the first half with Lee Brown forcing a smart save from Connor Ripley who was forced to tip his cross wide.

Tom Lockyer was the next to go close for Bristol Rovers as he headed over a Chris Lines free kick into the box.

Jamie Reckord was forced into some smart defending midway through the half as he denied Rory Gaffney a sight of goal after standing up to the challenge well.

However, two minutes later, Bristol Rovers did take the lead through Colkett.

A corner was not cleared properly and it reached the Chelsea loanee at the back post and he smashed past Ripley to give Bristol Rovers the lead.

Latics might have felt aggrieved that they were not awarded a penalty just before the half hour mark as Peter Clarke was manhandled in the box but the referee waved away the protests.

Bristol Rovers started to dictate possession as Latics struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Just before the break, Rovers had the chance to double their lead as Gaffney pulled the ball back to Taylor in the box but the striker curled over the crossbar.

Latics needed a response after the break and they did put pressure on the Bristol Rovers defence.

Winchester provided a good ball into the box on 52 minutes, crossing low but nobody attacked it. 

Robinson brought on Ryan McLaughlin in place of Winchester and he almost made an immediate impact with his first touch.

He picked the ball up in midfield and almost unlocked the defence with a through ball to Ryan Flynn but the goalkeeper was out to smother quickly. 

Minutes later, Paul Green provided a cross for Freddie Ladapo who was tearing into the penalty box but he could not connect properly with his header as the chance passed.

Latics were taking the game to their opponents and on 65 minutes, Erwin’s free kick had to be picked out of the top corner by Roos in the Rovers goal.

The striker bent his free kick around the wall but the goalkeeper got across quickly to deny him. 

Two minutes later, Flynn let fire from the edge of the box which Roos was forced to tip over the crossbar as Latics went in search of an equaliser.

McLaughlin’s introduction really made the impact and his cross on 72 minutes found Erwin in the centre but Roos saved his headed effort well. 

However, for all their dominance during that period, they were unable to grab an equaliser as Bristol Rovers slowed down the pace and took control back. 

Gaffney forced a smart save from Ripley whilst with only 10 minutes remaining, Taylor managed to take the ball beyond Ripley but Clarke was back excellent to deny him adding a second.

But with three minutes of the game remaining, Bristol Rovers did manage to extend their lead through Clarke-Salter.

The Chelsea loanee rose highest from a corner into the box and powered home a header at the front post to put the game beyond doubt for Bristol Rovers.

Latics continued until the end with Flynn forcing a smart save from the goalkeeper at the back post and Jahraldo-Martin stabbed wide the follow up as Latics fell to defeat.