Bristol Rovers vs Crawley Town. Sky Bet League Two.
Memorial StadiumAttendance6,513.
Bristol Rovers 1-0 Crawley: Substitute Leon Clarke hits winner on debut
Saturday 4 September 2021 18:47, UK
Substitute Leon Clarke scored within 90 seconds of his Bristol Rovers debut to earn a 1-0 League Two victory over Crawley at the Memorial Stadium.
The 36-year-old striker was introduced at the start of the second half and made an immediate impact, finding space in the box to head home from fellow debutant Antony Evans' 47th-minute cross.
Goalkeeper James Belshaw then protected Rovers' lead with second-half saves from substitute Ashley Nadesan twice and Sam Ashford, leaving Crawley entitled to feel unlucky.
The visitors had the best first-half chances, Tyler Frost forcing a save from Belshaw with an 11th-minute drive.
Belshaw also saved bravely at the feet of Jake Hessenthaler in the 32nd minute, while Jake Powell headed straight at the Rovers keeper from a 41st-minute free-kick.
Trending
- What time are Usyk and Fury in the ring?
- PL Predictions: More dropped points for Arsenal at Palace?
- Aston Villa vs Man City preview: Emery reveals double injury boost
- Usyk vs Fury 2 - Who wins? Big fight predictions
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Dele says goodbye to Everton - Como next?
- Papers: Man Utd considering Rashford loan exit in January
- Final Usyk-Fury judge confirmed after coin toss settles rival camps' dispute
- Man Utd latest: 'Devastated' Mount out for several weeks
- World Darts Championship schedule: Littler, Barney headline Super Saturday
- Kane returns as Bayern thrash RB Leipzig to extend Bundesliga lead
Harvey Saunders might have wrapped up the points for the hosts when shooting wide with five minutes left.
Instead, Rovers had to dig in during seven minutes of stoppage time, but held out to the delight of the home fans in a 6,513 crowd.
