Accrington Stanley lost 2-0 at Bristol Rovers on Saturday with a goal in each half securing the win for Steve Evans’ side.
John Doolan made one change, bringing Paddy Madden back into the starting XI after he could not play in the last game against parent club Chesterfield. Dan Martin dropped to the bench.
In-form Rovers, who had won five of their previous seven games, got off to a good start on five minutes when Kofi Balmer’s long throw was headed home by defender Riley Harbottle.
Madden had a chance to level just after, but his low shot was comfortable for home keeper Brad Young.
The wind was making the game tricky for both sides and the Gas came close to a second with Balmer chipping just over the bar.
However, Stanley grew into the game and started dominating possession and chances.
Josh Woods had an effort deflected wide, while Madden’s header on 33 minutes was cleared off the line by Harbottle.
The Reds put a number of balls into the box but were unable to capitalise on them.
On the stroke of half time, former Red Tommy Leigh’s ball in was headed down by Joe Quigley and it was an easy catch for Ollie Wright.
Rovers had the ball in the back of the net two minutes after the restart in the second half, but Harbottle’s header was ruled off-side.
Stanley then felt Harbottle should have maybe got a bigger punishment than a yellow on 49 minutes after a high arm on Woods.
The Gas continued to be a threat, though, and they made it two on 53 minutes when a Jack Sparkes’ 18-yard free-kick was curled around the wall and into the corner of the net.
Matthews was substituted just after, following a head injury in the first half, Sass replacing him.
The Reds enjoyed a spell of pressure on the hour mark and Tyler Walton came on as Stanley looked to get back in it.
Rovers, though, then created the better opportunities and Sparkes fired narrowly wide from 25 yards on 70 minutes.
Substitute Mees Rijks could not find the target from a decent position in the 79th minute, while Joel Senior fired wide three minutes from time.
Woods headed wide in added time as the Reds could not find a breakthrough.
Stanley: Wright, Matthews (Sass), Rawson, Love, O’Brien (Martin), Conneely, Whalley, Brown (Walton), Sinclair, Woods, Madden (Abimbola). Subs not used: Kelly, Butterfield, Smith.
Referee: Ben Speedie.
Attendance: 8,805 (55 away).
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