Rovers’ impressive winning run was brought to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Sutton United.

Goals from Coby Rowe and David Ajiboye saw the hosts secure the three points as Rovers failed to make a bright first half count in front of goal.

The game was a competitive affair, packed with plenty of energy from both teams.

Danny Schofield kept faith with the same side that started the midweek win over Barrow while Harrison Biggins returned from injury to claim a place on the bench.

The start to the game from Rovers was excellent, packed with energy and featuring quick and incisive movement of the ball to work spaces and put the hosts on the back foot.

Tommy Rowe saw a hooked first time effort deflected over the bar just three minutes in while James Brown curled a cross just out of reach of George Miller moments later.

It took a lunging block from Sutton’s Harry Beautyman to keep out a goalbound strike from James Maxwell after an unselfish cutback from Miller.

Interplay in the middle of the park from Rovers was excellent and saw them consistently work their way into dangerous areas. But they also needed to be on guard as the opposition pushed forward at pace.

Jonathan Mitchell had to be alert to pluck the ball out of the air under his bar after captain Rowe sliced an attempted clearance on goal.

Ben Nelson produced a vital block inside his own box to deny Donovan Wilson clear sight of goal.

Brown could not keep down a volley after being picked out by Ben Close with a lofted ball over the top.

Mitchell produced an excellent save as he stuck out an arm to keep out a snapshot from Beautyman before collecting at the second attempt.

And just after the midpoint of the half, Mitchell comfortably claimed a header from Lee Angol following a Sutton break.

Miller flicked a header wide after a surging run from Maxwell who carried the ball to the corner of the box before clipping in a cross.

The game was fully an end-to-end affair as the half hour mark approached. Mitchell made a solid save as Angol drilled a shot from 25 yards while Nelson threw his body in the way of shot from Will Randall.

At the other end, Sutton keeper Jack Rose was forced to punch out from under his bar as a drilled cross from Charlie Lakin threatened his goal.

Lakin was a bundle of energy in the middle of the park and drew a more conventional save from Rose with a testing effort from 20 yards.

Rovers had a glorious chance to take the lead inside the opening minute of the second half. After good build-up play, Maxwell cut back to Miller who had been left with a tap in, only for Sutton’s Rowe to make a brilliant block.

Mitchell produced a brilliant double save to keep out Randall, but Sutton took the lead from the subsequent corner when Rowe headed home from close range from a knock back.

The hosts were inches away from doubling their advantage when Randall curled narrowly wide from the edge of the box after a powerful run.

Caolan Lavery almost made an instant impact after replacing Luke Molyneux on the hour mark as he met a cross with a first time effort but lifted the ball narrowly over the bar.

The game became much more bogged down in midfield, with chances at a premium for both sides.

Biggins fired over the bar from a corner moments after entering play.

Rovers struggled for opportunities as the game wore on as the hosts snuffed out danger well.

And, as they pushed upfield in search of a equaliser, they were caught out with Sutton wrapping up the points. The ball was hooked forward to send Ajiboye racing clear and he calmly slotted past Mitchell with two minutes remaining of the 90.

Sutton: Rose, Kizzi, Goodliffe, Rowe, Hart, Ajiboye, Beautyman, Smith, Randall (Boldewijn 90), Angol (Dennis 77), Wilson (Kouassi 69). Subs not used: House, Dundas, Lovatt, Gambin.

Rovers: Mitchell, Olowu, Nelson, Rowe, Brown (Seaman 87), Lakin, Close (Biggins 71), Maxwell, Molyneux (Lavery 60), Hurst, G Miller. Subs not used: Oram, Long, Barlow, T Miller.