Rovers face a second trip on the road in just four days as they travel to promotion chasing Stevenage on Tuesday night in Sky Bet League Two action.
Danny Schofield’s side will be looking to build on the 2-2 draw they picked up at Harrogate Town on Saturday.
The last meeting:
The return fixture saw Schofield take to the home dugout for the first time since his appointment in October, but the visitors would be the team to take all three points.
Rovers started the game strongly and almost took the lead in the 22nd minute when Harrison Biggins saw an effort cannon off the crossbar and over.
Shortly after that, Jordan Roberts headed home to score the game’s only goal and take the points back down south.
Stevenage’s recent form:
Prior to the weekend’s round of fixtures, Steve Evans’ side were without a win in five games, drawing four and losing one.
That run started with a goalless draw at promotion rivals Carlisle United and a loss at home against Salford City despite Luke Norris’ late consolation.
The next two fixtures that followed saw The Boro come from behind to salvage draws against Northampton Town and then Colchester United as Jamie Reid netted against The Cobblers and Alex Gilbey against The U’s.
On Easter Monday, Stevenage took the lead at Hartlepool United but ultimately draw 1-1 again as the hosts came from behind before, on Saturday, getting back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon.
Key men:
Stevenage’s top-scorer, Luke Norris has found the back of the net 14 times so far this season and assisted twice to take his total goal contributions to 16 for the campaign.
The 29-year-old striker came through the youth ranks at Brentford before spending time out on loan and then making the permanent switch to Gillingham in 2014.
Spells at Swindon Town and Colchester United followed before he signed for his hometown club in January 2021 and has since gone on to score 31 times for The Boro in 103 appearances.
Leading the way for goal contributions at the club this season is Jamie Reid who has chipped in with 12 goals and six assists.
The forward graduated from the Exeter City academy in 2012, only making 23 appearances for the Grecians, as he spent three separate loans at Torquay United before putting pen-to-paper on a permanent deal with The Yellow Army in 2017.
The 28-year-old’s most prolific spell came at The Gulls, scoring 52 times in 103 games, as he then arrived at The Boro, via Mansfield, in 2021.
The signing of veteran defender Carl Piergianni has played a huge part in Stevenage’s promotion push in the 2022/23 season, making a difference at both ends of the pitch.
The centre-half has spent much of his time on the non-league circuit, notably winning Boston United’s Play of the Year twice, making the
National League North Team of the Year twice and helping Salford City to back-to-back promotions on their way into the EFL.
In 2020, Piergianni moved to Oldham Athletic and then, in the summer of 2022, he became one of Steve Evans’ first signings and skipper to score seven times in his first season with the club.
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