Cameron John continued his return from injury by completing an hour for Rovers’ U23 side against Exeter City on Tuesday night.
Rovers gave the on-loan Wolves man a place in the starting line-up in the Premier League Cup clash at St James Park as he stepped up his return from an ankle injury, with a view to joining up with the first-team for Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup trip to Gillingham.
He partnered Shane Blaney in the heart of defence, before he was replaced by Branden Horton after 61 minutes.
The home side had the better of the opening half, with Rovers’ best opportunity coming after four minutes when Max Watters get into space down the wing, but his ball was just too far ahead of Harrison Myring.
Danny Amos and Watters had opportunities in the second period for Rovers, the latter only denied by a good save from Dino Visser in the home goal, but the Grecians claimed the three points when the veteran defender Gary Warren headed in after 88 minutes.
And Visser preserved three points for the home side in stoppage time when he tipped Watters’ effort over following a corner.
Rovers remain in a strong position in the group after victories over Portsmouth and Aston Villa, although Exeter’s win sees them take over at the top on goal difference.