ROVERS may have included new strike pairing Nicky Campbell and Leon Mitchell in their squad but this game was more to do with excellent defending.

Former Stafford Rangers frontman began the game at Cossham Road, home of the league leaders, while Mitchell had to be content with a place on the bench.

Tricky winger Marcus Jackson, who caused the home side problems in the first half, fired into the side netting as he tried to beat keeper Mark Bryant at his near post after just seven minutes.

Bryant presented Rovers with another chance after spilling Jackson's cross, but recovered well to block Paul Szewczyk's follow up four minutes later.

Dean Pendry then flashed a shot across the face of the Rovers goal after 25 minutes.

But the home side's best chance came right on half time when Rob Claridge stretched to meet Pendry's cross but could not direct his volley on goal.

The start of the second half saw Pendry have an effort tipped over the bar by Matt Lowe just three minutes after the restart.

The game then became a battle for supremacy in the midfield, which Rovers gained the upper hand with Mark Benbow and Leon Allen at the fore.

Mangotsfield had an opportunity in the 71st minute when Peter Sheppard broke down the left leaving Steve Hillman to mark him and Claridge. But Sheppard could not produce a ball to find his striker leaving Lowe to collect the poor cross.

Szewczyk, holding the ball up to allow the midfield to link up, presented Jackson with one such chance firing the ball just wide of Bryant's upright after 82 minutes.

Three minutes later Benbow fired through a sea of legs, Bryant could only parry the effort but the ball then hit Szewczyk and bounced wide.

Substitute Mitchell was given his chance late on when he replaced Danny Lennon. And he was soon in firing range, collecting a Szewczyk pass only to slice the ball wide from the edge of the area.

Rovers almost snatched all three points in the last minute, but Bryant did well to hold Steve Frost's low drive at the foot of his post.

Rovers: Lowe 7, Frost 7, Ulfig 6, Hillman 7, Townsend 7, Allen 7, Jackson 7, Benbow 7, Szewczyk 8, Campbell 7, Lennon 6 (Mitchell 79). Subs (not used): Collins, Appleton, Francis, Gandy.

Referee: Mr S T Cook (Lydney)

Attendance: 268