Walsall vs Bristol Rovers. Sky Bet League One.
Poundland Bescot StadiumAttendance5,069.
Walsall 1
- J Gordon (45th minute)
Bristol Rovers 3
- T Lockyer (7th minute)
- A Rodman (10th minute)
- T Holmes-Dennis (52nd minute)
Walsall 1-3 Bristol Rovers: Caretaker boss Graham Coughlan oversees second successive victory
Wednesday 26 December 2018 18:53, UK
Bristol Rovers climbed out of the League One relegation places as a 3-1 win at Walsall handed Pirates caretaker manager Graham Coughlan back-to-back victories.
Rovers led after seven minutes as Walsall failed to clear a free-kick and skipper Tom Lockyer steered home Alex Rodman's low return ball across the face of the six-yard box.
Rodman turned from provider to scorer to double the lead after 10 minutes, excellently volleying home Tareiq Holmes-Dennis' far-post cross despite Jack Fitzwater's attempt to clear it off the line.
Walsall - who slipped to 14th with defeat - missed a glorious chance to halve their deficit three minutes later as Jon Guthrie nodded Nicky Devlin's deep centre onto the post from close range.
They did pull one back after 45 minutes as Andy Cook nodded down a free-kick and Josh Gordon hooked a great finish over his own shoulder from 12 yards.
But Rovers sealed the points after 52 minutes as Alex Jakubiak's incisive run and pass found Holmes-Dennis, who took a touch before slotting past Liam Roberts.
