DMW November 15, 1999

TWO goals in three minutes midway through the second half sank Rovers in a hard-fought match in Devon on Sunday.

Home striker Dominic Richardson opened the scoring on 65 minutes with a powerful 25-yard free kick which took a slight deflection on its way to the top right hand corner.

Then the ex-Plymouth Argyle man made it two in the 68th minute with a free header from Phil Everett's left wing cross.

That was hard on a depleted Rovers side, which had looked threatening early on.

Steve Daley's men could have been in front after eight minutes when Ryan Daley's shot was deflected over by Tiverton captain Neil Saunders. From the subsequent corner, Daley's header flashed just wide of the far post.

Good midfield play from Tom Davies and Ian Cooper frustrated the home side while up front Patrick Bannister was causing problems.

On 15 minutes he latched on to Davies' header and only a brave challenge from Luke Vinnicombe denied him a shooting chance.

Moments later, Bannister went close again, sprinting past four men before Pete Conning managed to divert the ball to safety.

Gradually, the home side raised their game, and Rovers keeper Nore Gabbidon made two fine saves before the break.

On 38 minutes Richardson drilled in a low free kick which Gabbidon dived to beat away as Kevin Nancekivell waited to pounce on the rebound.

Everett was then denied when his 18 yard snap-shot was turned round the post.

After the break, Gabbidon was in action again to deal confidently with crosses from Vinnicombe and Everett and pulled off another superb save to touch a Nancekivell thunderbolt around the post.

But after Richardson struck, the tiring Rovers side was unable to find a way back into the match despite substitute John Humphreys curling a late free kick just wide.

Rovers: Gabbidon, Ashley, Ulfig, Davies, Bowater, Winstone (sub Jinks 82), Bytheway (sub Moore 75), Cooper, Bannister, Daley, Parkes (sub Humphreys 75).

Attendance: 598. Rovers MoM: Nore Gabbidon.