Barrow AFC 0-2 Bristol Rovers
Sky Bet League Two, SO Legal Stadium, Tuesday 10 March 2026
Bristol Rovers collected their third win in four outings with a comfortable 2-0 victory away to Barrow AFC in Sky Bet League Two.
Following a difficult beginning to the contest during a relentless rainstorm at the SO Legal Stadium, Tommy Leigh broke the deadlock off the back of a dangerous cross from Jack Sparkes, with his impressive finish hitting both posts on its way in.
The Bluebirds pushed for a leveller before half-time, with a flurry of shots blocked by a brave Rovers defence, before the Gas dominated the second half. Pushing to double their advantage, Fabrizio Cavegn scored on his return to the team, tapping in Joel Senior's pass across the box.
The Bluebirds attempted to minimise Rovers’ efforts in the final minutes of the contest. Their best chance came through Charlie McCan two minutes from the end, but Brad Young saved his first-time effort.
Steve Evans made three changes to the team that beat Crewe Alexandra 2-1 on the weekend, bringing in Cavegn, Leigh and Ryan de Havilland, who were brought on at half-time against the Railwaymen and inspired a comeback.
The Gas had the majority of the set pieces and possession as both teams tried to get a foothold in the game. Jack Sparkes lashed a cross towards Alfie Kilgour, who sprang across the box with a diving header, but Wyll Stanway pushed the ball around the post.
Sparkes was a danger all evening for Barrow. He found Leigh with a deep cross from the left, with the midfielder heading the ball against the outside of the net before the flag went up for offside.
However, it was not long until the duo combined for the first goal. Richie Smallwood's free-kick was cleared as far as Sparkes, who hooked an inviting ball back into the box. Leigh watched it all the way before tucking his low effort beyond Stanway, with the ball hitting both posts before heading in.
Rovers gained momentum, with De Havilland, Joe Quigley and Cavegn all having their efforts blocked. Up the other end, the Bluebirds went searching for a leveller that could turn the tide in their favour, but Rovers' committed defence blocked a flurry of shots before they could reach Young.
The Pirates then went on to dominate the second half in a superb away display. Leigh, the scorer of Rovers' first goal, looked to turn into the provider with a clever cutback into the heart of the box, but Cavegn could not convert before Joel Senior lifted his shot over.
Nevertheless, the Gas did get a deserved second soon after. Senior, who was a threat down the right for most of the contest, drove into the box and had the option to shoot, but slid a pass across to Cavegn to score from close range.
Cavegn, fresh off his first goal, looked to double his tally soon after. Sparkes' cross from the left bounced towards the forward, who looked to direct a left-footed strike into the bottom corner, but Stanway got down well to push it behind.
Moving into the latter stages of the test, Barrow fought back as Elliot Newby played a long ball towards Danny Rose, whose right-footed shot was tipped over the bar by Young. The hosts continued to stay strong in the final minutes of the contest as McCann fired a cross towards Tyler Walker, whose volley was collected by the Gas' shot-stopper.
The Pirates held onto their two-goal lead for their third victory in four league outings and their first away triumph since New Year's Day.
Barrow AFC: Stanway, MacDonald, Canavan ©, Jackson (Walker 69), Newby, McCann, Fletcher, Anderson (Shipley 43), Gordon, Barkhuizen (Rose 53), Harper
Subs not used: Winterbottom, Powell, Foley
Bookings: MacDonald
Bristol Rovers: Young, Senior, Sparkes, Kilgour ©, Mola, De Havilland, Balmer, Leigh, Quigley, Cavegn (Rijjks 93), Smallwood
Subs not used: Southwood, Akhamrich, Thomas, Lockyer, Thompson-Sommers, Harrison
Goals: Leigh, Cavegn
Match Official: Tom Reeves
Attendance: 2300 (293 away)
