Gas Squander 3 Points

Rovers tonight came away from Home Park with a point following a 1-1 draw with struggling Plymouth Argyle. It'll be more disappointment than contentment though for Gasheads as they witnessed their team lose their 1-0 lead late on in the game after seemingly looking comfortable in containing the attacking threats of the home side. Matt Harrold's 14th minute goal was cancelled out in the 84th minute courtesy of a close range Maxime Blanchard finish, with the Argyle defender also hitting the woodwork in the first half.

Rovers, unchanged from their weekend exploits against AFC Wimbledon, started the game brightly and attempted to pressurise Jake Cole in the home goal from the off. They did so by earning a couple of early corners and it took less than quarter of an hour to get their noses in front. Matt Gill delivered a left-wing corner and Matt Harrold was on hand the head powerfully past Cole and in to the back of the net. It was a great start and something I'm sure all Rovers fans thought we'd build on as the home side got more nervy during the game but we failed to do so and paid the price. In the rest of the first half though we did appear on top and could have increased our lead had Harrold's stinging header found the back of the net, unfortunately for the Gas' leading marksman it flew narrowly wide. Despite the spell of pressure we forced upon the Argyle back-line they did threaten Scott Bevan at the other end with an Alex MacDonald effort. Blanchard's attempt then hit a crossbar as the home side offered a warning of what they were capable of, but as the half-time whistle sounded, Rovers were comfortable.

Matt Harrold celebrates after scoring the equalising goal against Watford in the Carling Cup

The second half was a different story however, with Juvhel Tsoumou and MacDonald causing trouble up front and the Plymouth midfield deciding they wanted to get the ball moving in our half. Simon Walton tried to get on the ball more but, overall, Cian Bolger and Tom Parkes dealt easily with all he and his team-mates could muster in our final third. Despite now looking much more like a typical away side, we did counter attack to good effect when Mustapha Carayol and Chris Zebroski got the ball to feet. It was the former who had Rovers best chance to double the advantage but after doing all the hard work to create space in the penalty area, the Gambian winger lost his composure and skewed his shot high of Cole's goal. It was a waste and Muzzy knew it, but at this point we still seemed relatively at ease with all that was unfolding on the pitch.

That was to change though inside the final 10 minutes of the game as Blanchard managed to turn the ball home following Luke Young's high ball in to the penalty area. It was a disappointment for Bevan and the Rovers defence who had done well up until that point, but it goes to serve the common belief that if you don't concentrate for the full 90 minutes you'll get punished. Mark McGhee will be understandably frustrated with the way we failed to see yet another game out despite being in front for a large proportion of it and will ensure his players know what they need to improve. In saying that I'm certain they know already. We could have snatched all 3 points right at the death as Harrold headed towards goal again following a Gill corner, but unfortunately the goal line was cluttered with green shirts and one of them managed to get their body in the way and get it cleared to safety. The final whistle sounded and Rovers were left to rue missed chances and a lack of composure in defence - again. But we must look at the positives, of which there are many, and we are no longer losing games. We're picking up points home and away and if we are able to see games out we'd turn the majority of our draws in to comfortable victories. That's a mouthwatering prospect ahead of next season.

Until then though we still have work to do this year. Next up is the visit of Southend United to the Mem who will be looking to continue their push for promotion with a vital away day victory. If we can start brightly again though I'm sure we can do enough to win it ourselves - we are good enough to do so.

Up the Gas!