Alfie May hit a double to get Rovers' Checkatrade Trophy campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Grimsby Town.
May scored either side of the break to secure a victory which sees Rovers move into second in the group ahead of next month’s trip to Notts County.
Rovers started the game on the front foot and had the game’s first real chance inside the opening eight minutes.
May’s run down the left saw all sorts of space open up down the middle for Paul Taylor in the area.
Taylor though was unable to keep his strike down, with his first-time shot going over the bar from just yards out.
A minute later, Rovers would have two more chances in quick succession to get the opener, but twice found the Grimsby defence in the way.
Ali Crawford was first to try his luck, breaking free down the middle and shooting from 20 yards out, only to see Sam Russell at full stretch in the Mariners’ goal to turn the ball behind for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, Rovers would have their next chance, with Shane Blaney getting on the end of Taylor’s corner, only to see his header blocked on the line.
Russell would be kept busy in the visiting goal, with Jermaine Anderson this time going in search of his first Rovers goal, and he was clean through following a good ball forward by Alfie Beestin.
Anderson however could only fire low and straight at Russell who kept the midfielder at bay, though it wouldn’t be long before Rovers found the goal that they had been searching for in the early stages.
The goal came from a Grimsby chance down the other end, with Charles Vernam getting the better of Blaney and shooting on goal, however his shot was tame and into the arms of Ian Lawlor, and from the resulting Rovers attack, the game’s opening goal arrived.
May collected the ball over on the right-hand side, cutting inside onto his weaker left foot and curling a superb effort into the far top corner, leaving Russell with no chance and putting his side ahead with a wonder strike.
May had his eye in and could have had his second just ten minutes later as he rose highest to meet Taylor’s cross into the area, only to see his effort flash wide of the post, before another Beestin through ball to May saw the striker shoot straight at Russell.
Taylor and May were becoming too much for the Mariners defence to handle as the half wore on, with Taylor first taking aim from 25 yards out, only to see his low, powerful drive go just wide of the post.
May would have the half’s final chance as he looked to catch Russell off his line with a cheeky lobbed attempt, but he was unable to keep his shot down.
The Mariners came out looking sharper after the break, and it was they who had the half’s better chances early on.
JJ Hooper had their first chance after the interval, turning and shooting towards the far post, only to see his shot go just wide and into the Grimsby end.
Ben Pringle would then be denied by a superb reaction save by Lawlor, with the Mariners midfielder first to pounce on a loose ball, only to see the Irishman punch his effort away.
Crawford, in search of his first Rovers goal, would then be inches away from doubling the lead following May’s cross in, volleying just over the crossbar, but they wouldn’t have to wait long to extend their lead, with the combination unlocking the Grimsby defence once more.
Crawford’s brilliant ball forward was collected by May who burst towards the penalty area, cutting back and being brought down by Paul Dixon, leaving referee Michael Salisbury with no option but to point to the spot.
May picked himself up to smash the ball into the top corner for both his and Rovers’ second of the night.
This didn’t halt Grimsby’s attacking play however with Vernam again trying to get his side back into it, however once again Lawlor was in fine form to deny the Mariners forward with another great save.
Substitute Will Longbottom was next to go close for Rovers, shooting first time across goal after a flick on by May, however his shot was just wide of the far post.
Rovers were able to see the game out comfortably as they collected their first win, and their first points in Group G of the Checkatrade Trophy.
They now return to Sky Bet League One action when they travel to Rochdale on Saturday as they look to return to winning ways in the league.
Alfie May’s brace ensured Rovers got their Checkatrade Trophy campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over Grimsby Town.
May scored either side of the break to secure a victory which sees Rovers move into second in the group ahead of next month’s trip to Notts County.
Rovers started the game on the front foot and had the game’s first real chance inside the opening eight minutes.
May’s run down the left saw all sorts of space open up down the middle for Paul Taylor in the area.
Taylor though was unable to keep his strike down, with his first-time shot going over the bar from just yards out.
A minute later, Rovers would have two more chances in quick succession to get the opener, but twice found the Grimsby defence in the way.
Ali Crawford was first to try his luck, breaking free down the middle and shooting from 20 yards out, only to see Sam Russell at full stretch in the Mariners’ goal to turn the ball behind for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, Rovers would have their next chance, with Shane Blaney getting on the end of Taylor’s corner, only to see his header blocked on the line.
Russell would be kept busy in the visiting goal, with Jermaine Anderson this time going in search of his first Rovers goal, and he was clean through following a good ball forward by Alfie Beestin.
Anderson however could only fire low and straight at Russell who kept the midfielder at bay, though it wouldn’t be long before Rovers found the goal that they had been searching for in the early stages.
The goal came from a Grimsby chance down the other end, with Charles Vernam getting the better of Blaney and shooting on goal, however his shot was tame and into the arms of Ian Lawlor, and from the resulting Rovers attack, the game’s opening goal arrived.
May collected the ball over on the right-hand side, cutting inside onto his weaker left foot and curling a superb effort into the far top corner, leaving Russell with no chance and putting his side ahead with a wonder strike.
May had his eye in and could have had his second just ten minutes later as he rose highest to meet Taylor’s cross into the area, only to see his effort flash wide of the post, before another Beestin through ball to May saw the striker shoot straight at Russell.
Taylor and May were becoming too much for the Mariners defence to handle as the half wore on, with Taylor first taking aim from 25 yards out, only to see his low, powerful drive go just wide of the post.
May would have the half’s final chance as he looked to catch Russell off his line with a cheeky lobbed attempt, but he was unable to keep his shot down.
The Mariners came out looking sharper after the break, and it was they who had the half’s better chances early on.
JJ Hooper had their first chance after the interval, turning and shooting towards the far post, only to see his shot go just wide and into the Grimsby end.
Ben Pringle would then be denied by a superb reaction save by Lawlor, with the Mariners midfielder first to pounce on a loose ball, only to see the Irishman punch his effort away.
Crawford, in search of his first Rovers goal, would then be inches away from doubling the lead following May’s cross in, volleying just over the crossbar, but they wouldn’t have to wait long to extend their lead, with the combination unlocking the Grimsby defence once more.
Crawford’s brilliant ball forward was collected by May who burst towards the penalty area, cutting back and being brought down by Paul Dixon, leaving referee Michael Salisbury with no option but to point to the spot.
May picked himself up to smash the ball into the top corner for both his and Rovers’ second of the night.
This didn’t halt Grimsby’s attacking play however with Vernam again trying to get his side back into it, however once again Lawlor was in fine form to deny the Mariners forward with another great save.
Substitute Will Longbottom was next to go close for Rovers, shooting first time across goal after a flick on by May, however his shot was just wide of the far post.
Rovers were able to see the game out comfortably as they collected their first win, and their first points in Group G of the Checkatrade Trophy.
They now return to Sky Bet League One action when they travel to Rochdale on Saturday as they look to return to winning ways in the league.