Bristol Rovers continued their impressive spell under new boss John Ward with victory at Oxford.

After defending stoutly in the first period, the visitors struck first early in the second half.

Ryan Brunt was fouled in the box by Jake Wright, Lee Brown tucked away the resulting penalty past Luke McCormick.

Eliot Richards doubled their lead late on, finishing after a quick free-kick from David Clarkson, to make it 13 points from a possible 15 for Rovers.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Bristol Rovers manager John Ward told BBC Radio Bristol:

"It was an exceptionally hard effort from the boys. It was our third game in a week.

"Oxford came in to this one game-free, so it was a massive task for us.

"We had to battle our way through this one and we've done it really well.

"I need a break now and the boys need a break as well."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)

Oxford United

  • 24 McCormick
  • 02 Batt
  • 04 Raynes (Worley - 87' )
  • 06 Wright
  • 17 Capaldi (Parker - 56' )
  • 07 Chapman Booked
  • 14 Rigg
  • 19 Montrose Booked
  • 26 Davis
  • 09 Constable
  • 18 Richards Booked (Potter - 34' )

Substitutes

  • 31 Crocombe
  • 16 Whing
  • 22 Worley
  • 23 O'Brien
  • 25 Parker
  • 10 Smalley
  • 15 Potter

Bristol Rovers

  • 13 Mildenhall
  • 02 Smith
  • 04 Woodards (Broghammer - 68' )
  • 06 Parks
  • 14 Brown
  • 29 McChrystal
  • 15 Norburn (Richard - 79' )
  • 25 Clucas
  • 32 O'Toole Booked
  • 16 Anyinsah (Clarkson - 62' )
  • 26 Brunt

Substitutes

  • 20 Gough
  • 11 Broghammer
  • 21 McDonald
  • 07 Clarkson
  • 10 Richard
  • 17 Harrison
  • 27 Hitchcock
Ref: Madley
Att: 7,608

Match Stats

Shots

12 7

On target

3 5

Corners

8 2

Fouls

11 14

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +6:13 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +3:58

Seanan Clucas provided the assist for the goal.

90:00 +3:58 Goal scored

Goal - Eliot Richards - Oxford 0 - 2 Bristol R Eliot Richards scores a goal from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Oxford Utd 0-2 Bristol Rovers.

90:00 +3:09

Adam Chapman has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

90:00 +1:28

Seanan Clucas produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.

90:00 +0:50

Liam Davis sends in a cross, Harry Worley has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.

89:01

Corner taken by Jake Wright from the left by-line, save made by Steve Mildenhall.

88:30

Harry Worley produces a cross, blocked by Tom Parkes.

88:00

A cross is delivered by Sean Rigg, save by Steve Mildenhall.

86:31 Substitution

Substitution Harry Worley replaces Michael Raynes.

86:06

Fabian Broghammer takes a shot. Luke McCormick makes a save.

84:08

Liam Davis crosses the ball, Steve Mildenhall makes a comfortable save.

82:25

The ball is crossed by Damian Batt, Seanan Clucas manages to make a clearance.

81:12

Michael Raynes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Brunt. Free kick taken by Lee Brown.

80:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Smith on Josh Parker. Jake Wright takes the direct free kick.

78:34 Substitution

Substitution Eliot Richards on for Oliver Norburn.

78:16

Effort from the edge of the area by Damian Batt goes wide of the right-hand upright.

77:54

Tom Parkes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Josh Parker. Adam Chapman restarts play with the free kick.

77:08

Adam Chapman is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick taken by Lee Brown.

76:25

James Constable delivers the ball.

74:17

Fabian Broghammer gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Josh Parker. Direct free kick taken by Adam Chapman.

73:47

Unfair challenge on Luke McCormick by David Clarkson results in a free kick. Luke McCormick restarts play with the free kick.

73:03

Corner taken by Oliver Norburn from the left by-line, save made by Luke McCormick.

72:18

Corner taken by Sean Rigg from the right by-line played to the near post, comfortable save by Steve Mildenhall.

71:48

Corner taken by Adam Chapman from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Mark McChrystal.

70:17

The ball is delivered by Josh Parker, James Constable produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.

68:44

Adam Chapman fouled by Lee Brown, the ref awards a free kick. Sean Rigg restarts play with the free kick.

67:08 Substitution

Substitution Fabian Broghammer on for Danny Woodards.

67:08

Free kick taken by Steve Mildenhall.

67:08 Booking

Booking Lewis Montrose goes into the book.

66:55

Danny Woodards fouled by Lewis Montrose, the ref awards a free kick.

65:59 Booking

Booking Adam Chapman is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

65:51

Adam Chapman concedes a free kick for a foul on Oliver Norburn. Direct free kick taken by Lee Brown.

61:15 Substitution

Substitution Joe Anyinsah goes off and David Clarkson comes on.

62:21

Short corner taken by Adam Chapman.

61:15 Substitution

Substitution David Clarkson is brought on as a substitute for Oliver Norburn.

60:51

Lewis Montrose takes a shot from long range which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

59:18

The ball is sent over by Adam Chapman, Shot from deep inside the area by James Constable clears the bar.

57:41 Booking

Booking Caution for John-Joe O'Toole.

57:33

John-Joe O'Toole concedes a free kick for a foul on Liam Davis. Adam Chapman takes the free kick.

55:40 Substitution

Substitution Josh Parker comes on in place of Tony Capaldi.

54:54 Goal scored

Goal - Lee Brown - Oxford 0 - 1 Bristol R Penalty taken left-footed by Lee Brown and scored. Oxford Utd 0-1 Bristol Rovers.

53:26

Ryan Brunt fouled by Jake Wright, the ref awards a Penalty.

52:48

Effort from outside the penalty area by Tony Capaldi goes wide left of the goal.

51:49

Damian Batt delivers the ball.

50:15

Michael Raynes challenges Ryan Brunt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mark McChrystal restarts play with the free kick.

49:17

Ryan Brunt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Raynes. Luke McCormick restarts play with the free kick.

48:07

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joe Anyinsah by Liam Davis. Steve Mildenhall restarts play with the free kick.

45:04

The ball is swung over by Alfie Potter.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +2:58 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

45:00 +1:38

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Brunt on Luke McCormick. Luke McCormick takes the free kick.

45:00 +1:08

Foul by Tony Capaldi on Oliver Norburn, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Joe Anyinsah.

44:21

Corner taken by Adam Chapman from the left by-line.

43:52

Alfie Potter takes a shot. Save by Steve Mildenhall.

42:34

Effort from outside the penalty box by Lewis Montrose goes wide left of the target.

39:48

Adam Chapman gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Danny Woodards. Direct free kick taken by Lee Brown.

37:40

James Constable takes a shot. Save made by Steve Mildenhall.

37:15

Damian Batt sends in a cross, Lee Brown manages to make a clearance.

36:26

Ryan Brunt challenges Jake Wright unfairly and gives away a free kick. Luke McCormick takes the free kick.

33:25 Substitution

Substitution Justin Richards goes off and Alfie Potter comes on.

33:25

Mark McChrystal crosses the ball.

30:23

The assistant referee flags for offside against James Constable. Tom Parkes takes the free kick.

29:38

John-Joe O'Toole challenges Tony Capaldi unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jake Wright takes the free kick.

28:28

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Oliver Norburn.

28:06

John-Joe O'Toole takes a shot. Adam Chapman gets a block in.

27:35

John-Joe O'Toole crosses the ball, Damian Batt gets a block in.

23:33

Steve Mildenhall takes the direct free kick.

23:33 Booking

Booking Justin Richards goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

23:23

Foul by Justin Richards on Joe Anyinsah, free kick awarded.

21:35

Sean Rigg is ruled offside. Steve Mildenhall restarts play with the free kick.

21:04

Unfair challenge on Justin Richards by Michael Smith results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Tony Capaldi.

16:27

Joe Anyinsah challenges Liam Davis unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jake Wright takes the free kick.

14:18

Oliver Norburn takes a shot. Blocked by Damian Batt.

13:44

Justin Richards gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steve Mildenhall. Steve Mildenhall takes the direct free kick.

12:46

Adam Chapman takes the inswinging corner, Liam Davis produces a cross.

12:36

Damian Batt delivers the ball, Michael Smith manages to make a clearance.

11:15

The referee blows for offside against Ryan Brunt. Indirect free kick taken by Michael Raynes.

10:32

John-Joe O'Toole has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the target.

8:50

Lee Brown fouled by Damian Batt, the ref awards a free kick. Lee Brown takes the free kick.

7:40

James Constable has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.

7:23

Handball decision goes against Ryan Brunt. Direct free kick taken by Damian Batt.

6:52

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Adam Chapman played to the near post, save by Steve Mildenhall.

6:05

Michael Smith gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Constable. Adam Chapman takes the free kick.

3:18

Damian Batt takes a shot. Inswinging corner taken by Tony Capaldi, clearance made by Lee Brown.

1:04

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adam Chapman by Oliver Norburn. Direct free kick taken by Adam Chapman.

0:30

The ball is crossed by Michael Smith, Danny Woodards takes a shot. Save by Luke McCormick.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

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