AFTER the way Rovers were brushed aside by an impressive Leeds United the last thing Gasheads would call them is "lucky."
But the Yorkshire Evening Post reported how United boss Simon Grayson has dismissed accusations made by Charlton Athletic manager Phil Parkinson that Leeds had ridden their luck on the way to a four-point lead at the top of League One after their win at the Memorial Stadium.
The visitors may have been lucky when Stuart Campbell's shot came out after hitting the underside of the cross-bar but Grayson rejected the claim that "a disproportionate amount of good fortune was a contributing factor to their run of one defeat from 14 league games".
The Post added: "Leeds relied on a goal three-minutes into injury-time to seal a 2-1 win over Norwich City last week, a result which Grayson admitted had flattered his side, but United held the only unbeaten league record in the country until they were beaten at Millwall.
Reflecting on that result, Parkinson, whose team hold second place in League One and drew 0-0 at Elland Road on October 3, said: "I think it's good for the rest of the division that they lost.
"Simon will be the first to admit that in recent weeks a lot of things have gone for them. But you've got to take your luck when it comes and capitalise on it, which they've done."
Grayson responded by saying: "You earn your luck, and we work hard as a team. Hard work gets you a long way."
Simon Grayson admitted he had reaped the reward of a considered show of faith after Leeds United ran riot in the 4-0 victory over Rovers.
It was unfortunate for The Gas that they were next up after the table-toppers first defeat of the season at Millwall ended a run of 12 matches without a loss.
The Yorkshire Evening Post added: "But the United manager held his nerve at Rovers by fielding the same 11 players who started the match against Millwall and stirring a majestic performance from his team at the Memorial Stadium.
Grayson confessed to thinking "long and hard" about changing his line-up in the wake of Saturday's result, but his decision to name an unchanged team paid off spectacularly as Leeds humbled a potential promotion rival and established a four-point lead at the top of League One.
Grayson said: "Everyone's under pressure because of the competition in our squad but I felt that the players who lost at the weekend should have the chance to put it right.
"I thought about changing the team but decided it would be better to stick with what we already had. They've responded so well."
Paul Trollope told the Bristol Evening Post how Rovers were handed a "reality check" by Leeds and felt the visitors showed they are top of the table by right.
He said: "We were beaten by the better side - Leeds produced a display we couldn't cope with and we couldn't produce anything in the final third to hurt them," said Trollope.
"It was a reality check over where we are in our progression and one we have to analyse quickly and move on."
It was the second home defeat in four days for Rovers after their 2-1 setback against Yeovil which the Western Daily Press described as "largely self-inflicted."
The WDP reported: "After dominating what was generally a one-sided first half in terms of chances created, the Pirates finally made the breakthrough soon after the break, courtesy of Chris Dickson's fourth goal in six games.
"The Glovers had ridden their luck at times before the interval, but struck twice in four minutes shortly after the hour mark, with the Pirates' defence found wanting as free-kicks from Andrew Welsh arched into their box.
Substitute Jonathan Obika had been on the field a matter of seconds, but promptly took advantage of a dead-ball melée to nod the visitors level. Shortly afterwards, Terrell Forbes was reacting with glee and disbelief as he capitalised on more defensive disarray to poke the winner past Mikkel Andersen and claim the first goal of a career spanning almost 350 league appearances
"It seems Yeovil have some sort of jinx on me - I score against them and they win 2-1," said Dickson, who went through the same experience against the Glovers while on loan at Gillingham a couple of seasons ago."
Dickson's goal arrived less than a minute after the interval when he fired high into the net from close range after Danny Coles had flicked on Stuart Campbell's delivery from a corner.
"It was a relief to score after two games without one, and I want to try and get back up to a goal-a-game ratio if I can. It's always good to score, although I'd much rather have the three points," Dickson told the WDP.
"Scott Murray, almost inevitably, had been the target of stick from the home fans, who were cheering ironically when the former Bristol City man was substituted on the hour.
"They were somewhat less noisy when his replacement Obika netted with his first touch of the game, and another free-kick from Welsh caused more mayhem shortly before the one that led to the winner."
