DMW August 28, 1999

ALL that hard work wasted.

With seconds of normal time remaining, Hinckley's Marvin Marston broke Rovers' hearts with a shock last minute header.

Desperate to salvage something from a gutsy second half show, the Greens stormed forward from the restart. Just like Lineker v Argentina in '86, Russell Dodd flew in at the back post, only to head a dangerous ball against the woodwork. When you're down...

Boss Steve Daley has doubtless handed out plenty of maulings over the past fortnight but I'm sure he'd have remained thoughtfully silent after Saturday's game of two halves at the Victoria Ground.

He wasn't the only one who felt desperately sorry for his young side. After holding well organised Hinckley to just one goal at half time, Rovers levelled almost immediately and, from then on, barely gave their visitors a kick.

Alex Winstone, back in aerial action at centre half, was the scorer with a straightforward header from Ian Cooper's free kick.

The Knitters, who must have fancied their chances of further goals after dominating the first half, fell apart as Rovers kept up the good work.

Returning to his favoured midfield spot, Ryan Daley embarked on a mazy run into the box before firing wide, Kevin Ashley had a free kick saved and last week's scorer Kevin Jinks headed over from Daley's corner.

Useful opportunities, but not as golden as the one handed to Matt Bytheway by the impressive Steve Ulfig's crossfield ball. The stage was set for Bytheway to blast Rovers in front, but his hurried effort failed to trouble visiting 'keeper Richard Selby.

All this activity was in stark contrast to the opening half. After having two early efforts ruled out, the persistent Jamie Lenton struck on 23 minutes with a glancing header from Jamie Williams' cross.

With Hinckley on heat, Dudley did well to deny busy strikers Dave Sadler and Gary Ricketts while Ulfig made a vital goal-line clearance as the interval approached.

Much-needed time for Rovers to regroup and turn in their best 45 minutes so far this term. Let's just hope that the 'from small acorns' legend springs true.

Rovers: Dudley, Ashley, Ulfig, Cooper, Dodd, Winstone, Bytheway (sub Davies 81), Brown (sub Pendleton 88), Payne, Daley, Jinks. Subs (unused): Hopkins.

Attendance: 362. Rovers MoM: Steve Ulfig.