Bristol Rovers vs Brighton 1 - 1 Date: 26/09/2009 Venue: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 8,098 Referee: F Graham
Bristol Rovers shared the points with a ten man Brighton at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon.
The Seagulls were reduced to ten men just before half time when captain Adam Virgo picked up a second yellow for his challenge on Jeff Hughes, but Rovers could not quite do enough to secure all three points despite a strong team performance.
The Gas went behind thanks to a goal from James Tunnicliffe, but Andy Williams once again came off the bench to change the outcome of the game, setting up Jo Kuffour's goal in the second half.
Paul Trollope kept faith with the side that beat Brentford 3-1 last Saturday, which meant that new striker Chris Dickson made his home debut for the Gas, and former Seagulls Mikkel Andersen and Mark Wright lined up against their old side.
Rovers started brightly, looking to secure their fourth win in a row and keep up their assault on the top of the table, but Brighton also started strongly not content to sit back and let Rovers run the game.
Jo Kuffour had Rovers first real chance of the game, after some good link up play between Wright and Carl Regan down the right. Kuffour forced keeper Michel Kuipers to tip his shot over the bar.
Brighton responded with a shot from Aaron Davies, which produced a fine diving save from Mikkel Andersen.
Aaron Lescott seemed determined to try and get his name on the score sheet again, pushing up whenever possible, and fellow defender Danny Coles also had a shot on target, which was easily collected by Kuipers.
It was a busy afternoon for Kuipers in the Brighton goal as Rovers pushed forwards with attacking threats all across the pitch. Kuffour tried an over head shot and Chris Dickson attempted to open his home account with a shot that went high and wide.
But Brighton also threatened, Andersen was forced to make an important stop to keep Rovers in the game, after an error from Danny Coles.
Virgo was then sent off for a late tackle on Hughes. It was his second booking, after a challenge on Stuart Campbell midway through the half. Brighton immediately replaced striker Liam Dickinson with defender Jake Wright to try and keep things tight at the back.
Mark Wright had one of his best performances in a Rovers' shirt against his old side, and he almost set up the opener for Chris Dickson in the first few minutes of the second half.
But it was Brighton who took the lead shortly after with Tunnicliffe heading home Aaron Davies' free kick.
Trollope then made a double substitution just after the hour mark, to try and break through the Brighton defence, introducing Darryl Duffy and Andy Williams for Chris Dickson and Mark Wright.
And it was not long before the lively Williams made his mark on the game setting up Kuffour for a simple tap in. And Williams almost bagged one for himself, but his long range shot flew just over the cross bar.
Ben Swallow replaced Lescott, before Williams had another chance to secure three points for Rovers, but his final shot hit the post. On his current form it cannot be long until he finds the net.
Duffy could have won it for Rovers in the dying minutes of normal time, when Rovers broke from deep within their own half, but Kuipers did well to snuff out his shot. And the final effort of the match went to Carl Regan who hit the post from a Swallow cross.
Rovers now go into a tricky period which could help shape the rest of their season. The Pirates take on Southampton and Norwich on the road before coming back to the Memorial Stadium to face league leaders Leeds.
Rovers: Mikkel Anderson, Carl Regan, Byron Anthony, Danny Coles, Aaron Lescott (Ben Swallow 78), Mark Wright (Williams 62), Chris Lines, Stuart Campbell, Jeff Hughes, Chris Dickson (Darryle Duffy), Jo Kuffour.
Substitutes: Steve Elliott, Dominic Blizzard, Charlie Reece, Rhys Evans.
Brighton: Mickel Kuipers, Tommy Elphick, Adam El-Abd, James Tunnicliffe, Adam Virgo, Gary Dicker, Aaron Davies(Dean Cox 74), Andrew Crofts, Elliot Bennett, Nicky Forster(Gary Hart 81), Liam Dickinson(Jake Wright).
Substitutes: Graeme Smith, David Livermore, Glenn Murray, Matt Thornhill.
Referee: Mr Fred Graham.
8,098
taffibach 75
GasAndrew 72
Lancing Man 61
dan91 45
markbrimson 37
Oggypafc 36
kbbhafc 17
kerry bailey 0
66jcb 0
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