Bristol Rovers vs Crawley Town. Carabao Cup First Round.
The Memorial StadiumAttendance2,336.
Bristol Rovers 2
- K Bennett (32nd minute)
- O Clarke (84th minute)
Crawley Town 1
- M Connolly (88th minute)
- D Poleon (sent off 94th minute)
Bristol Rovers 2-1 Crawley: Kyle Bennett and Ollie Clarke on target in Carabao Cup
Tuesday 14 August 2018 23:37, UK
League One Bristol Rovers beat Crawley 2-1 at the Memorial Stadium to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Kyle Bennett headed the Pirates in front on 32 minutes and Ollie Clarke made sure when adding a second six minutes from time.
Mark Connolly gave the League Two underdogs hope, heading in from close range in the 88th minute, but it proved too little, too late for Crawley, who were reduced to 10 men when substitute Dominic Poleon was sent off by referee Lee Swabey for picking up a second yellow card in added time.
Crawley squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead midway through the first half, with Panutche Camara shooting wide from two yards out.
But Rovers were the better team for the most part and their dominance was rewarded when Bennett stooped to head in from a Sam Matthews corner.
Trending
- Rogers doubles Aston Villa lead vs struggling Man City LIVE!
- Szmodics returns for Ipswich, while Willock starts for Newcastle LIVE!
- Mee in for injured Pinnock as Brentford host Nottm Forest LIVE!
- What time are Usyk and Fury in the ring?
- Fullkrug starts for West Ham vs Brighton LIVE!
- Two changes for Rangers vs Dundee LIVE!
- World Darts Championship: Dobey headlines afternoon session LIVE!
- Lang with all four as Pompey lead Lampard's Coventry! | All EFL LIVE on Sky Sports+
- Live on Sky - Crystal Palace vs Arsenal preview: Eze out for hosts
- World Darts Championship schedule: Littler, Barney headline Super Saturday
They could and should have extended their lead, Tom Lockyer sending a header inches too high and Chris Lines having a goal-bound shot deflected behind.
Rovers continued to call the shots after the break and Clarke gave his side breathing space when advancing to the edge of the penalty area and firing a low shot into the bottom corner.
But there was still time for Connolly to head in from a corner and set up a tense finale.
