Exeter 2

Nardiello (8), O'Flynn (pen, 74)

Bristol Rovers 2

Kuffour (44), Hoskins (53)

Rovers earned a share of the spoils at Exeter this afternoon, but could well have returned home with all three points.

Trailing to an eighth minute goal, they were back on level terms after Jo Kuffour's goal in the final minute of the first half and took the game to their hosts after the break.

Exeter were reduced to ten men on 48 minutes when Richard Duffy brought down Will Hoskins who scored his first Rovers goal on 53 minutes to put Paul Trollope's side in the driving seat.

Rovers threatened to overcome their opponents but a third goal never arrived and Exeter levelled from the penalty spot on 74 minutes when John O'Flynn converted his spot kick after Byron Anthony was adjudged to have brought down James Dunne.

Manager Paul Trollope named an unchanged side, although two members of last week's squad, Carl Regan and Dominic Blizzard didn't travel due to slight Achilles and hamstring problems respectively, which meant that Harry Pell and Charlie Clough were among the substitutes.

The injuries to Regan and Blizzard are not thought to be long term and it is hoped that they will be back in contention for the visit of Southampton to the Memorial Stadium next Saturday.

After the emotion of a minute's applause and a moving tribute that was read to the crowd in memory of former Exeter striker Adam Stansfield it was, perhaps, understandable that the there was a muted start to the game.

However that all changed on eight minutes when Jeff Hughes lost possession and Steve Tully delivered the perfect ball into the Rovers area and Daniel Nardiello powered a header past Mikkel Andersen.

Six minutes later Rovers were almost back on level terms but a looping close range shot from Will Hoskins, following Byron Anthony's cross, hit the bar and fell behind for a goal kick.

The home side should have extended their lead on 22 minutes when Tully again supplied the perfect cross. This time the unmarked Scott Golbourne made a complete hash of his header directing it well wide of the mark when it looked easier to score.

Wayne Brown then tested goalkeeper Paul Jones and the shot stopper scooped the effort behind for a corner. When the resulting corner came in the clearance reached Brown who hit a left foot volley wide of the target.

Former Rovers striker Jamie Cureton replaced goalscorer  Nardiello on 32 minutes, but it was two minutes from the end of the half before the home side threatened again.

However David Noble's exquisite chip from the edge of the area flew just over the bar.

A minute later Rovers were back on level terms following a classic counter attack. Hughes played the ball up to Brown and although his cross was behind Hoskins, the ball was picked up by Kuffour. With his back to goal, the striker quickly turned and fired a low shot into the corner of the net.

Rovers made a bright start to the second half and they were helped by their opponents who were reduced to ten men within three minutes of the restart.

Lines hit a superbly weighted crossfield pass to Hoskins who had a clear run on goal. However Duffy brought him down and, knowing what was coming next, had reached the touchline before referee Mr Russell had time to brandish the red card.

Five minutes later Rovers were ahead and Hoskins had scored his first goal for the club.

The striker was on hand to meet Kuffour's cross from the right and his shot appeared destined for the back of the net before Jones appeared and made an excellent save.

However he could only parry the ball clear and Brown attempted a shot on goal before the loose ball ran to Kuffour. Again he picked out his strike partner who was able to knock the ball over the line from close range before celebrating his strike in style.

It was a sign for Rovers to take the game to their hosts and there could have been further goals. The closest they came, though, was a Lines free kick which was touched round the post by Jones.

Just when it seemed there would be no way back for the home side, they were awarded a penalty which seemed to be rather fortuitous.

Anthony, who had already been booked, was adjudged to have brought Dunne down in the box, though the defender claimed that he played the ball.

Had it been a foul, one wonders why he didn't receive a second yellow card and a subsequent red.

The spot kick was duly converted by O'Flynn, to put Exeter back on level terms.

There were few clearcut chances after that, though Jones again came to his side's rescue in the final minute when he somehow managed to touch a Hughes effort round the post.

Rovers: Mikkel Andersen, Byron Anthony, Danny Coles, Gary Sawyer, Wayne Brown (Charlie Reece, 73), Stuart Campbell, Chris Lines, Jeff Hughes, Will Hoskins (Darryl Duffy, 70), Jo Kuffour

Substitutes: Mike Green, Eliot Richards, Charlie Clough, Harry Pell, Ben Swallow

Booked: Coles, Anthony

Exeter City: Paul Jones, Steve Tully, Richard Duffy, Rob Edwards, Billy Jones, Scott Golbourne, James Dunne, David Noble (Berti Cozic, 77), Liam Sercombe, Daniel Nardiello (Jamie Cureton, 32), John O'Flynn

Substitutes:  Richard Logan, Jake Thomson, Joe Heath, Artur Krysiak

Booked; Edwards

Sent Off: Duffy

Attendance: 7,401

Rovers supporters: 1,078

Referee: Mr M Russell