For 17-year-old midfielder Kian Hill, Tuesday night's win at Cheltenham Town was a moment years in the making.
After coming through the Rovers academy, leaving to play Sunday league football, and earning his way back into the setup, Hill finally made his first-team debut: coming off the bench in the 72nd minute to help see out a 1-0 victory in the Vertu Trophy.
It was an unforgettable evening for Hill, who was pushed forward by some of the senior players towards the away end at full-time to celebrate and pump his fists towards the Gasheads who made the midweek trip to the EV Charger Points Stadium.
For him, it was a night earned through persistence, patience, and quiet belief.
"It felt amazing," Hill said afterwards. "It's what you work hard for. I absolutely loved it and couldn't ask for anything more."
Hill's debut came about quickly, with Head Coach Darrell Clarke telling him to get ready midway through the second half.
"Darrell told me I was coming on in the next ten or fifteen minutes," he said. "The nerves started kicking in, but I was really excited. It's what you dream about. When I finally came on, it was the best feeling."
Rovers' Vertu Trophy fixture against the Robins was in the balance when Hill entered the pitch. The Gas were in control after Luke Thomas' fine strike into the bottom corner, but with only one goal in it, the hosts still had a way to get back into the contest.
Hill wanted to impress, but was quick to emphasise that Rovers getting all three points was the most important thing.
"I wanted to come on and score or make a difference, but the main thing was keeping the one-nil lead," he said. "You don't want to end up losing the game when you come on."
Hill might have made his senior debut in the Vertu Trophy, but it was not his first experience of the first team environment. Alongside his schedule with the Academy, Hill has also been training with the senior team.
Surrounded by experienced players looking to help him make the step up to the next level, he singled out striker Ellis Harrison as someone who has been particularly supportive both on and off the pitch.
"Ellis has been really welcoming ever since I've been up there," he said. "He's a really nice guy, and having players like him around makes a big difference. They pass on advice, they help you out, and it gives you confidence."
Hill's story with Rovers stretches back to his early years in the academy. After being released, he spent time in Sunday league football before being brought back shortly before his scholarship. It's a journey that's given him perspective and resilience, which he says has been key to reaching this point.
"I was at Rovers when I was younger, then went into Sunday league for a few years," he said. "That teaches you different things compared to academy football.
"I got signed back up by Rovers just before the scholarship years, worked hard every day, and now this day happen and now it has happened. I'm forever grateful for it.
"The pathway into the first team is great, especially this year, it's opened up massively. The help in transferring to it is immense. You can't ask for anything more.
Now with his debut behind him, Hill is determined to build on it.
"If there's no lows, there's no highs," he said. "You've just got to keep pushing and working hard. This isn't it. I just want more - more training, more games, and more days like this."
