Bristol Rovers kick started their season with a win against local rivals Yeovil Town at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon.

Jo Kuffour scored the only goal of the first half, but it took an injury time winner from Byron Anthony to take all three points after Adam Virgo equalised for Yeovil in the final minutes of the game.

Manager Paul Trollope demanded a reaction from this players after they crashed out of the Carling Cup at the weekend, and although this game will not go down as a classic, Rovers dug deep to secure the win.

There were three changes from midweek; goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen returned from U-21 duty to replace Mike Green in goal, while Danny Coles and Wayne Brown returned to the line up at the expense of Carl Regan and Dominic Blizzard.

Former Rovers striker Andy Williams faced his old side for the first time since leaving the Memorial Stadium in the summer.

It was an often ill tempered affair, with Jean Paul Kalala sent off in the second half for a second yellow after a cynical challenge on Stuart Campbell.

But Rovers showed some of the passion and commitment that was missing during midweek, and fans and players were both delighted to pick up the first three points of the 2010/11 season.

Paul Trollope reverted to a 4-42 formation for the game, and Rovers started lively, playing some good passing football and creating the first chance of the game after less than a minute.

Kuffour played the play through to Jeff Hughes on the edge of the area, his left foot shot was pushed away for a corner by John Sullivan in the Yeovil goal.

Kuffour then tried an ambitious overhead kick but he did not get the right touch and his effort flew over the bar.

Andy Williams had the first chance of the day for the visitors. He found space on the right and got a shot at Andersen, who managed to block it but could not hold on to the ball. Thankfully Anthony was on hand to clear the danger.

Will Hoskins had a shot from distance fly wide, before Chris Lines also tried his luck from 25 yard, but his attempt was blocked by Sullivan.

After their bright start Rovers then sat back a bit and allowed Yeovil too much possession in midfield.

The Glovers had a chance to take the lead midway through the second half. A Nathan Jones cross found Sam Williams in the box, who turned to shoot from close range, but James Tunnicliffe got in a vital goal line clearance.

Luke Freeman then had a chance for Yeovil after the ball was crossed in by Virgo, but his diving header was sent wide.

Lines had a shot from 20 yards fly over the bar, before Kuffour was unable to get on the end of a ball that went fizzing across the box. The ball then fell for Wayne Brown, who could not get his shot away.

But Rovers went in one goal up after they broke the deadlock in stoppage time. A pint point cross from Gary Sawyer was met by the head of Kuffour who nodded home past the keeper.

The second half began in the driving rain but Kuffour and Brown nearly gave the crowd more to cheer about as they combined well early on.

Brown picked up the ball and sent a perfectly weighted ball through to Kuffour out on the left. The striker then played the ball back into Brown who had made a run into the box, but he could not get his shot away.

Yeovil then had a chance to equalise, but Luke Ayling's shot flew over the bar, then the lively substitute Nathan Smith had a shot from outside the box that was easily saved by Andersen.

Brown had been playing well all afternoon, and he was denied a goal in the second half as a Yeovil defender put in a great challenge just as the midfielder was about the pull the trigger.

There were few clear cut chances from either side in the second half, and then Kalala was sent off in the 80th minute for his challenge on Campbell.

Yeovil then found the equaliser as the game drew to a close. Virgo got on the end of the corner and powered a header into the back of the net.

The late goal galvanised Rovers, and they were straight down the other end looking for the winner. Four minutes of extra time were given and Rovers had a penalty appeal for hand ball turned down.

But the home side kept pushing, and it was Byron Anthony who got the vital goal. The corner from Brown reached the defender at the far post and he rifled it in through a packed penalty box.

Bristol Rovers: Mikkel Andersen, Byron Anthony, Danny Coles, James Tunnicliffe, Gary Sawyer, Chris Lines, Stuart Campbell, Wayne Brown, Will Hoskins, Jo Kuffour, Jeff Hughes

Substitutes: Mike Green, Darryl Duffy, Dominic Blizzard,Charlie Reece, Eliot Richards, Carl Regan. Ben Swallow

Yeovil Town: John Sullivan, Craig Alcock, Nathan Jones (Ed Upson), Paul Huntingdon, Andy Williams, Luke Ayling, Sam Williams, Cameron Stewart (Rob Kiernan), Luke Freeman (Nathan Smith), Adam Virgo, Jean Paul Kalala

Substitutes: Stefan Stam , Danny Hutchins, Craig Calver, Ben Roberts.

Referee: Mr M Oliver