Rovers advanced through to the second round of the Carling Cup in a game decided by penalties.

The match may not have made it as far as a shoot out, but all three of the goals in Rovers' 2-1 victory game from the penalty spot.

It may not have been a perfect performance from The Pirates, but the team worked hard as a unit to begin to show that there can be life after Lambert.

Darryl Duffy was recalled to the starting line-up and joined Jo Kuffour up front, while keeper Rhys Evans made his debut for Rovers.

But it was the second half cameo from youngster Ben Swallow that really got everyone talking. Despite only being on the pitch a short while, the 19 year-old had three shots on goal, even taking his own free kick after being brought down outside the box.

It was an impressive start for Evans in goal, when he made a reaction save to deny Scott Donnelly with his first touch of the game after just a few minutes.

Both sides made slightly shaky starts, and there was almost 20 minutes on the clock before Jo Kuffour had Rovers' first real effort of the game. Kuffour linked up well with Aaron Lescott, but the ball ended up flashing across the face of the goal.

Duffy and Kuffour combined to create another couple of half chances, but Aldershot keeper Clark Masters denied their efforts.

The opener nearly came when Kuffour picked up the ball in the Rovers half and threaded a nice ball through to Jeff Hughes, but Hughes' shot was just wide of the target.

And it was a great individual effort from Chris Lines that led to the first penalty of match on 37 minutes. Lines tricksy run was bought to a halt after he was unfairly upended by Adam Hinshelwood in the box.

Darryl Duffy stepped up for penalty taking duty and calmly sent Masters the wrong way.

Carl Regan nearly made it two minutes before half time. His head found a nice cross from Sean Rigg, but Masters was quick off the mark and able to trip the ball onto the cross bar.

Jo Kuffour nearly doubled Rovers' tally with a quick burst from the kick-off that saw his long range shot tipped over the bar.

Aldershot followed that up with an attempt of their own, with Kirk Hudson almost able to draw them level.

Rovers felt they were unlucky shortly after when Sean Rigg was judged to have followed Masters after he spilled a high cross from David Pipe.

But the second penalty came shortly after. Rigg headed the ball against the bar, and Kuffour was pulled down as he went for the follow up.

This time Duffy's first kick was stopped by the keeper, but he was on hand to slot home the rebound.

And Rovers fans were in fine voice, with the Blackthorn End singing their hearts out and providing great encouragement for the team.

Aldershot's penalty came about on the hour mark after Pipe stuck his arm up in the box and handled Louie Soare's ball in from the corner.

The Shots dangerman Marvin Morgan stepped up and slotted his penalty home, sending Evans diving to the right.

Paul Trollope made two changes in the second half, bringing Dominic Blizzard on to replace David Pipe, and young Ben Swallow made his home debut coming on for Rigg.

It was a debut that will live long in the memory of Rovers fans, as the left-sided Swallow went on to have three shots on goal in less than 20 minutes.

His first attempt was a low left footed shot from a tight angle, which was kept out by Masters, and minutes later he came even closer after a good run down the let, but was again denied as Masters tipped the ball round the post.

Evans was also called into action in the dying minutes of the game to stop the big target man Morgan from scoring an equaliser for the Shots.

Ben Swallow had the last word when he was fouled outside the box, and stepped up to take the resulting free kick. Masters was forced to make a good save to keep the ball from flying into the right hand corner.

Bristol Rovers: Rhys Evans, Aaron Lescott, Byron Anthony, Carl Regan, Jeff Hughes, David Pipe(Dominic Blizzard 64), Stuart Campbell, Chris Lines, Sean Rigg(Ben Swallow 73), Darryl Duffy, Jo Kuffour.

Substitutes: Danny Coles, Charlie Clough, Charlie Reece, Ben Hunt, Andy Williams.

Aldershot: Clark Masters, Chris Blackburn, Adam Hinshelwood, Louie Soares, Lewis Chalmers, Marvin Morgan, John Halls, Scott Donnelly(John Grant, 63), Kirk Hudson(Danny Hylton 63), Ben Harding, Andy Sandell.

Substitutes: Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz, Anthony Straker, David Winfield.