Ten-man Rovers beaten by Barnet

REPORT

Bristol Rovers' 11-game winning streak at The Memorial Stadium ended with a 3-1 loss to Barnet in Sky Bet League Two.

The Pirates dominated the first half and scored within four minutes through Ellis Harrison, who drilled a low strike past Matthew Cox after good work from Shaq Forde.

Fabrizio Cavegn had several chances to double Rovers' advantage, and Forde also went close twice before Barnet turned the score around in the final 11 minutes. Adam Senior levelled with a close-range finish before Tommy Leigh was sent off for a tackle on Charlie Lakin.

The Bees had the man advantage and momentum, scoring twice late on. Zac Williams thundered a powerful strike into the top right corner before Kabongo Tshimanga sealed Barnet's win with a stoppage-time strike.

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Ellis Harrison

The Pirates started quickly and threatened early on. Harrison was a target up front, and the striker flicked a header down the right to Leigh, but his pass was too heavy for Cavegn to capitalise on in the Bees' box.

The Gas pushed Barnet back into their box, with the pressure telling four minutes in. Forde did brilliantly on the right, spinning past his marker before firing a cutback into a dangerous area, and Harrison made the most of a poor clearance to drive a low shot into the back of the net.

Forde looked to get on the ball at every opportunity and almost got an assist soon after Rovers' opener. His low ball across the box looked to be going straight to Harrison, but Oisin Gallagher's crucial slide across cleared the danger.

The Pirates dominated the first half and looked like they could score every time they went forward. The Bees started the day unbeaten with four wins and three draws from their seven games but were quiet in attack. Captain Dany Collinge had their first meaningful attempt on the half-hour mark, flicking a header straight at Brad Young.

The Bees could not sustain pressure, and Rovers ended the half on top. Keenan Gough played the ball into Cavegn, who kept possession well on the edge of the area before blasting over.

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Clinton Mola

The visitors started the second period well, but the Gas quickly grew into the half and arguably should have had a second goal five minutes in. Leigh's clever cross from the right was headed back in his direction by Ben Purrington, but he dragged his attempt wide from close range.

Leigh looked to make up for his missed effort moments later and played a perfect ball down the right to Tom James, who raced free and slotted into Cavegn's path, but his attempt was blocked. The Swiss then made a chance himself. He made the most of a defensive mistake, getting behind Barnet's defence before his shot deflected wide of the left post.

Forde then had two scoring opportunities in quick succession, and Leigh was the creator both times. The winger first rushed down the right side of the box and thumped a low attempt across the goal and wide, before Cox did well to save his second shot from close range.

The Gas dominated but were punished for their missed chances in the closing stages of the game. Tshimanga won the ball from Ciarán Kelly in Rovers' defensive third and played it across to Senior, who had a tap-in from close range.

Things then went from bad to worse for the hosts, with Leigh shown his second straight red card of the season for a lunging tackle on Charlie Lakin. The Bees suddenly gained momentum and netted two late goals to complete a comeback.

Williams stuck a fine effort into the top right corner, with the ball coming off the bar on its way in, giving Young no chance before Tshimanga wrapped up the victory in the final seconds with a low finish.

Bristol Rovers: Young, James, Balmer, Mola, Forde, Purrington, Kelly, Harrison, Gough, Leigh, Cavegn
Bristol Rovers subs: Binns, Sparkes, Kilgour, Russell-Denny, Quigley, Smallwood, Appiah
Goals: Harrison
Booked: Forde, Purrington

Barnet: Cox, Crichlow-Lowe (Tavares 59), Collinge, Senior, Williams, Knowles (Ajayi 59), Lakin (Kenlock 90+2), Kanu (Maskell 73), Tshimanga, Gallagher, Reeves (Comley 59)
Barnet subs: Haralambous, Liwala-Lukizalamu
Goals: Senior, Williams, Tshimanga
Booked: Kanu, Collinge
 

Referee: Tim Robinson
Attendance: 8,996 (522 away)

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