CREWE 0

ROVERS 1

(Graham, 24)

THE FA Cup second round tie with Crewe Alexandra had proved to be something of tough nut for Rovers to crack.

Things looked to be going swimmingly in the first game as they raced in to a 3-0 lead inside 20 minutes, but from then on things weren’t so straightforward.

They lost that three goal advantage, as well as Elliott Bennett to a four game ban, while even getting the replay playable proved tricky after the initial game was postponed.

So Rovers will just have been glad to see the back of the League Two side in a game which they dominated from start to finish but had just Danny Graham’s 24th minute goal to show for it.

That sets up a home tie with Hull City in round three in January with attentions firmly focussed on a busy festive period before that.

Boasting seven changes from Saturday’s win at Peterborough, Rovers tried to take charge from the off but the snowy conditions meant it took a while for them to get in to their stride.

It took until the 20th minute for Rovers to fashion a clear cut chance as Joe Nuttall got across his man to nod a Craig Conway just over the top.

But four minutes later Rovers did break the deadlock as Graham scored his third goal of the competition. It was never in doubt as he sidefooted the ball across Ben Garratt and in to the far corner after Derrick Williams pounced on the loose ball.

Graham was proving to be an excellent target for Rovers in the difficult conditions and on the half hour he played in strike partner Nuttall whose shot was deflected in to the side netting.

And the experienced striker would have had an early contender for goal of the season were his rasping half volley from the left edge of the box having dipped under, rather than flicked the crossbar.

He would also have a hand in the move which should have doubled Rovers’ lead, with Conway inches away from making it 2-0 as his shot fizzed over the bar after Graham’s cross was deflected his way.

Rovers’ lead at the break was slender but their dominance certainly wasn’t, as a Callum Ainly 25-yarder straight at Jayson Leutwiler as much as they could muster in the opening half.

But having given up the initiative in the first game Rovers were keen not to do the same.

A couple of Rovers changes out wide saw Lewis Travis and Sam Hart introduced and within minute of arrival the latter almost got his name on the scoresheet. Graham was the man to play him in down the left and although his shot beat Garratt, the ‘keeper got a hand to his shot which allowed Eddie Nolan to get back and clear off his own goal-line.

But Rovers’ slender advantage was put in to perspective when Crewe almost equalised in the 62nd minute. Chris Porter, after his double at Ewood, pulled off the shoulder of Charlie Mulgrew to meet a Charlie Kirk cross, only for his header to come back off the post.

The search for a second goal for Rovers looked no nearer as the game tipped in to the final quarter despite their territorial dominance. Bradley Dack, on for Graham, blasted wide of the target while a number of other moves broke down around the Crewe box.

With 10 minutes to go they looked set to seal it as Nuttall was presented with a great chance after Garratt had done well to initially keep out a sliced Eddie Nolan clearance, but the ‘keeper was quickly to his feet to deny the Rovers striker.

A late Crewe onslaught never really materialised, though Leutwiler was grateful to see a Jordan Bowery curling effort fly past his left-hand post after being given room to turn and shoot on the edge of the box.

But at the third time of asking, after the draw in the first game, and Tuesday’s postponement, Rovers are in to round three.