Rovers fell to a 1-0 defeat at automatic-promotion chasing Stevenage.

Jordan Roberts’ first half strike was enough to settle the game in the hosts’ favour.

After struggling to get into the game in the first half, there was some improvement after the break but without sustained threat.

Danny Schofield made two changes from the side that started the draw at Harrogate four days prior with Kyle Hurst and James Brown coming into the team.

The hosts pushed hard from the first whistle, pressing the Rovers back line aggressively. Danny Rose heavily miscued a shot inside the first minute as he pounced on a loose ball inside the Rovers box.

And moments later Jake Taylor raced onto a half-cleared free kick and lashed a low shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Stevenage took the lead on 13 minutes. Luke Molyneux looked to have snuffed out danger with an important tackle on the edge of the box but the ball rolled across to Roberts who drilled in low from 15 yards.

Rovers struggled to get out of their own half for long periods with the aggression of the hosts causing all manner of problems.

Bobby Faulkner produced a fine lunging block to prevent full back Max Clark from finding the target with a sweeping volley. A crisp passing move from Stevenage put Taylor into space on the edge of the box but he lashed his effort over the bar.

The pressure eased slightly midway through the half and Rovers saw more of the ball, without mounting any real threat of their own.

Mitchell made a fine save with his legs as Jamie Reid sprung beyond the Rovers defence and fired a low effort on the angle.

Schofield sent on Jack Goodman and Ro-Shaun Williams at the break and Rovers made a more positive start to the second period with plenty of the ball in the early stages.

And the first attempt on target came on 52 minutes. Goodman produced a smart lay off for Kyle Hurst who raced through the Stevenage defence but fired straight at keeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala.

Stevenage were happy to let Rovers have the ball but it was a struggle to break through the lines and deliver moments of threat.

The hosts were millimetres away from doubling their tally as the game moved into the final ten minutes. A scramble in the box saw Rovers produce three big blocks before Rose sent an overhead kick onto the crossbar.

Rovers looked to spring behind the Stevenage back line but had little sight of goal until Goodman controlled a pass, spun and fired wide.

Stevenage substitute Jake Reeves fired straight at Mitchell after collected a lay off from Reid and Boro saw out the game.

Stevenage: Lo-Tutala, James-Wildin, Piergianni, Sweeney, Clark, Gilbey, Taylor (Reeves 56), Forster-Caskey (Bostwick 87), Reid, Roberts, Rose. Subs not used: Przybek, Campbell, Smith, Horgan.

Rovers: Mitchell, Faulkner, Nelson (Williams 46), Long, Brown, Close, Ravenhill, Molyneux, Hurst (Miller 78), Barlow, Agard (Goodman 46). Subs not used: Bottomley, Seaman, Degruchy.