DMW August 17, 1999

ROVERS are still searching for their first league point after a dreadful display at Bedworth's Oval ground.

More cringworthy defensive errors gave the Greenbacks a two-goal advantage at half time and Lee Darlison's free kick just after the interval piled on the misery for Steve Daley's men.

Yet another bright start came to nothing. Returnee Stuart Payne, looking fit and keen but short of match practice, went close on two occasions and also teamed up well with Steve Brown down the left, only for Mark Benbow to head Brown's deep cross over the bar.

Bedworth, who similarly looked lively in attack, were handed the lead on 33 minutes. Nore Gabbidon failed to cling onto Paul Bedder's cross and Robbie Beard controlled the loose ball with his chest before tapping it over the line.

Gabbidon redeemed himself with stunning close range stops from Beard and Guy Sanders but, right on half time, Rovers were in further disarray when Ryan Daley's slip up let in the dangerous Christy McKenzie, whose 15 yarder snuggled nicely into Gabbidon's bottom corner.

Darlison stepped up to make it 3-0 eight minutes after the break but, from then on, the home side were under the cosh.

However, Rovers failed to find a way past a well organised Bedworth defence with Russell Dodd and Benbow both restricted to long range efforts.

Rovers: Gabbidon, Bytheway, Ulfig, Cooper, Brien, Daley, Benbow, Dodd, Payne, Wright, Brown (sub Pendleton 67). Subs (unused): Hopkins, Davies.

Attendance: 253. Rovers MoM: Russell Dodd. Bookings: none.