After the international break the Championship season returns and it’s back with a bang as Rovers visit Huddersfield Town this weekend.
The John Smith’s Stadium is the venue as Paul Dickov’s squad look to continue their unbeaten run away from home, a spell which extends right back to 29thMarch 2013. It will be a tough task though as the hosts remain unbeaten on home turf so far this term and with the respective records of the two teams some may say a draw Is on the cards.
When Rovers visited Town back in March 2006, the assumption was that the home side would take victory as they were riding high and bearing down on Southend United in top spot in League One. But the visitors were unbeaten in five games and within touching distance of the top six as Dave Penney’s side were seeking promotion of their own.
Rovers were the first to make headway into the Terriers’ defence winning an early corner, which unfortunately Phil Senior just took off the head of Jason Price.
Despite the visitors making the first foray forward, the home side were to take the lead as Michael McIntosh prodded home from close range after the ball wasn’t cleared. The goal brought a sustained five minutes or so of pressure from Town but following a quick break after a corner for the hosts, Rovers were to get on the scoresheet.
Simon Marples made a fantastic break forward but he was dispossessed, however Rovers nicked the ball back and fed Price who thumped the ball home from fully 25 yards to send the traveling supporters into raptures.
Jan Budtz made a miraculous save to thwart home favourite Andy Booth from inside the six yard box, but the striker was to get his own back just before the break as his header across the box was swept home by David Graham.
Rovers began the second half as they’d began the first, firmly on the front foot.
James Coppinger found Price who knocked the ball across the six-yard box in the direction of Ross McCormack but the loan striker was a whisker away from getting the decisive touch on the ball. The Young Scot then warmed the palms of the home ‘keeper as he caught the ball sweetly from Leo Fortune West’s knock down as the pressure built on the home defence.
They should’ve known what as coming as the clock hit the hour mark as Rovers swept forward confidently and Paul Green found a yard of space to fire low and into the goal for the equaliser.
Some ten minutes later, Town thought they’d got their noses in front for a third time when Booth headed home but the assistant adjudged the striker to be offside.
Rovers were within inches of nicking it though going into the final five minutes when the impressive McCormack almost smashed home from distance with Senior scampering across his goal, but the shot flashed agonisingly wide.