Bristol Rovers earned a point in a 1–1 draw at the County Ground in Sky Bet League Two, with Kane Thompson-Sommers’ superb first-half strike cancelled out by Ollie Palmer after the break.
In a game that started with chances few and far between, it was always going to take a moment of magic to break the deadlock, and Thompson-Sommers did just that, bringing the ball forward from the halfway line before cutting inside from the right and bending a strike into the bottom corner.
The Gas had the momentum and could have scored again through Ellis Harrison just after the break, but he headed wide before Ollie Palmer struck a leveller just moments later.
In a contest between a Pirates team that had only drawn three times this season and a Swindon side without a tie in 17 outings, both teams had chances to win it in the final stages, but the points were shared.
Steve Evans named the same team that beat Grimsby Town 3–1 at The Memorial Stadium last weekend, and his team delivered another composed performance in a contest where little separated the two sides.
Swindon created the clearer openings early on, but it was Rovers who struck before the interval. The Gas did have an early opportunity as Richie Smallwood swung a free kick into the box, where Kofi Balmer attempted to replicate his opener from last weekend. However, his header was well saved by Connor Ripley.
As the half progressed, Rovers’ defence was frequently tested. Joel Senior delivered a standout individual defensive performance, making several crucial interventions to prevent dangerous opportunities from materialising.
Swindon had the greater share of corners during the first half and came close with a flurry of pressure around the half-hour mark. Tensions were high before the second delivery as Balmer and Ollie Clarke were both shown a yellow card following a scuffle inside the box. Swindon threatened from the resulting set pieces, with Brad Young called into action to make successive saves and stop an opener.
Rovers grew into the half as it progressed. A long throw from Balmer was only partially cleared to Yusuf Akhamrich, whose effort from the edge of the area was pushed away by Connor Ripley.
The breakthrough arrived in the 43rd minute. Thompson-Sommers collected possession on the right, drove into the box and calmly guided a low finish into the bottom corner to give Rovers the lead, sparking a noticeable shift in momentum as the hosts began to look unsettled.
The second half began with immediate drama as Ian Holloway was shown a red card. It was obvious from the whistle that Swindon came out with clear intent, pushing forward in search of an equaliser.
Ollie Palmer initially rounded Brad Young but could not convert; however, moments later, he found himself on the scoresheet, finishing from close range with Brad Young not in a position to block the ball quickly enough, putting the game level. His goal came moments after Ellis Harrison headed wide for the Gas, with the striker punished for his missed chance.
Rovers looked to respond immediately, with Joel Senior delivering a cross that seemed destined for the far corner; however, it drifted narrowly wide.
Shortly after, Swindon threatened when Jake Batty drove forward with purpose. With Brad Young off his line, Clinton Mola reacted quickly to head away the goal-bound effort. That opportunity was followed by another crucial intervention from Young, who tipped a powerful strike over the bar to keep the scores level.
As Swindon made a triple substitution, the Pirates introduced Fabrizio Cavegn in an attempt to find a winner. The ball fell to Richie Smallwood on the edge of the area, but his effort drifted just over the bar. De Havilland then had a similar opportunity, with his strike also clearing the crossbar.
In the 90th minute, Cavegn weaved his way past his marker, but his shot struck the outside of the net, summing up a tense and dramatic second half. The Gas continued to push until the final whistle, but the points were shared.
Swindon Town: Ripley, Batty, Knight-Lebel, Wright, Hoilett, Kilkenny, Borland, Snowdon, Clarke, Palmer, Drinan, Bodin (89), Kirkman (69), Olakigbe (69), Holman (69)
Bookings: Clarke
Unused subs: McGregor, Nichols, Ward
Goals: Ollie Palmer
Bristol Rovers: Young, Senior, Kilgour, Mola, Akhamrich, Thompson-Sommers, De Havilland, Balmer, Harrison, Quigley, Smallwood, Cavegn (67), Thomas (93)
Bookings: Kofi Balmer, Joel Senior, Joe Quigley, De Havilland
Unused subs: Leigh, Lockyer, Rijks, Southwood, Sparkes
Goals: Kane Thompson-Sommers
Attendance: 12,383 (2315)
