Tom Bloxham and Zak Gilsenan were both on target as Rovers returned to winning ways in Premier League 2 against Wolves.
Mike Sheron’s side played the second half with 10 men after Harley O’Grady-Macken was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Despite the numbers disadvantage, Bloxham and Gilsenan struck in quick succession to secure a second league victory of the campaign which saw Rovers climb off the foot of the table.
Sheron opted to make five changes from the side that was beaten by Bolton Wanderers in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup, with Nic Michalski, Jay Haddow, O’Grady-Macken and Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews coming into the XI as well as a trialist.
Dominik Biniek was also named on the bench following a spell out of action due to injury.
Rovers got on the front foot in the opening stages, with Bloxham sending an effort just over James Storer’s crossbar.
Wolves almost went ahead when Tawanda Chirewa’s effort was deflected wide after a dangerous knock-down from Aaron Keto-Diyawa.
Gilsenan forced Storer into action from distance before Marvin Kaleta’s thumping strike was saved by Michalski at the other end.
The sending off came on the stroke of half time, with O’Grady-Macken shown a second booking for a foul on Chirewa.
But the second half got off to a perfect start when Bloxham took advantage of uncertainty in the Wolves backline and kept his cool to beat Storer at his near post.
Things got even better moments later when Gilsenan latched onto Kristi Montgomery’s ball over the top and tucked home from a tight angle.
Rovers kept the Wolves attack at bay until the 84th minute when Justin Hubner nodded home after getting on the end of Owen Hesketh’s free kick.
The hosts almost found an equaliser at the death when Leo Lopes was denied by the woodwork.
Rovers could have also wrapped up the result in stoppage time through Junior Nsangou’s ambitious lob from near the halfway line.
Sheron’s side held on to secure an important victory on the road and climb above Manchester City Under-21s in the table.
Rovers are back in action after the Christmas period when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday, January 14.
Michalski, Duru, Olson, Haddow, Doherty, Trialist, Montgomery, O’Grady-Macken, Mullarkey-Matthews (Nsangou 25), Gilsenan (Biniek 72), Bloxham (Stritch 95). Unused: Khan, Thirkell.
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