Chris Whelpdale (3 mins)
Deon Burton (44 mins)
npower League 2
, Jan 5, 2013
Ground: The Memorial Stadium
, Kickoff: 15:00 , Att 6,088
Team news
Kenneth back from a ban Bristol Rovers centre-back Garry Kenneth will return from suspension against Gillingham to give John Ward a selection boost.
The new manager of the Pirates has lost both Cian Bolger and Matt Lund this week after the on-loan pair returned to Leicester and Stoke respectively.
And in addition to the return of Kenneth, back after a one-game ban, the former Cheltenham boss hopes to bring in another new face before kick-off.
Striker Dave Clarkson missed the vital 2-1 win over Plymouth with a swollen ankle and the visit of the high-flying Gills is expected to come too soon for the former Motherwell man.
Recently-released Aldershot striker Guy Madjo is currently training with the Rovers squad for two days as Ward assesses the former Plymouth and Bristol City attacker.
John Ward remains without long-term injury absentees Scott Bevan (wrist), club captain Matt Gill (knee) and Matt Harrold (knee) while defender Adam Virgo is also out.
Ben Strevens will still be considered for selection by League Two leaders Gillingham.
The striker - who has made 15 appearances this term, mostly off the bench - was one of three players made available for free transfer by Gills boss Martin Allen on Thursday, along with Connor Essam and Ross Flitney.
However, Allen has confirmed Strevens will be in his squad to face Rovers.
Midfielder Bradley Dack was an unused substitute in the impressive 1-0 win at Southend on New Year's Day but he will not be involved having joined non-league Braintree on a month-long loan deal.
Bristol Rovers vs Gillingham
Last modified 17:20 05/01/13
Class strikes give Gills victory First-half goals from Chris Whelpdale and Deon Burton gave npower League Two leaders Gillingham a hard-fought 2-0 victory at improving Bristol Rovers.
The visitors took a fourth minute lead when Whelpdale was given room to turn inside the box and lashed an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner from 15 yards.
Rovers battled back well to hit a post through John-Joe O'Toole before Burton produced a moment of quality a minute before the break, lifting the ball over his marker before burying a fierce volley from eight yards, Rovers look a better unit under new boss John Ward but the Gills defended their lead with tenacity and skill after the break, restricting their hosts to few sights of goal.
Ward's men also looked secure at the back, despite the loss of skipper Garry Kenneth to injury just before half-time.
But Gillingham's extra quality showed in a game of precious few clear scoring opportunities.
| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Substitution | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Steve Mildenhall | ||||
| 2 | Michael Smith | ||||
| 5 | Garry Kenneth(sub 44) |
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| 29 | Mark McChrystal | ||||
| 14 | Lee Brown | ||||
| 6 | Tom Parkes | ||||
| 25 | Seanan Clucas | ||||
| 32 | John-Joe O'Toole | ||||
| 11 | Fabian Broghammer(sub 75) |
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| 16 | Joe Anyinsah(sub 45) |
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| 10 | Eliot Richards | ||||
| Substitutes | |||||
| 20 | Conor Gough | ||||
| 4 | Danny Woodards | ||||
| 15 | Oliver Norburn(sub 44) |
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| 17 | Ellis Harrison | ||||
| 18 | Mitch Harding(sub 75) |
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| 27 | Tom Hitchcock(sub 45) |
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| 30 | Tom Lockyer | ||||
| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Substitution | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stuart Nelson | ||||
| 2 | Matt Fish | ||||
| 3 | Joe Martin | ||||
| 6 | Leon Legge | ||||
| 26 | Adam Barrett | ||||
| 12 | Andy Frampton | ||||
| 4 | Jack Payne | ||||
| 7 | Chris Whelpdale |
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| 24 | Myles Weston(sub 72) |
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| 17 | Adam Birchall(sub 56) |
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| 20 | Deon Burton(sub 56) |
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| Substitutes | |||||
| 21 | Tommy Forecast | ||||
| 8 | Charlie Lee | ||||
| 9 | Danny Kedwell(sub 56) |
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| 11 | Danny Jackman | ||||
| 14 | Charlie Allen(sub 72) |
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| 15 | Callum Davies | ||||
| 28 | Steven Gregory(sub 56) |
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| Team | Bristol Rovers | Gillingham |
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