Rovers claim three vital points in difficult conditions.

Full report to follow

Rovers deservedly claimed the points, which keeps them in the race for the play offs but were made to fight very hard by a AFC Hayes who were desperate themselves but at the other end of the table.

The only goal of the game came on 15 minutes as Charlie Rich’s corner from the left was headed home at the far post by central defender, Ollie Price.

Rob Claridge twice went close for Rovers before the break with a header that cleared the bar and a shot from the right which went just wide of the far post but the closest they came to increasing their lead came on 36 minutes as Alex Ball’s header from another Rich corner was cleared off the line.

Rovers continued to dominate in the second half but were denied by a string of fine saves by Hayes’ keeper, Simon Grant. Rovers did get the ball in the net on 55 minutes when Price headed home a free kick but was penalised for pushing.

The home side’s best chance on 64 minutes as substitute Craig Tompkins headed a cross from the right back across goal and Eugene Ofori saw his header come back off the post.

Grant produced several more good saves including diving bravely at the feet of Matt Cooper and injuring himself in the process as Rovers comfortably held on.

Teams:
Hayes:Grant, Blackburne (Hall 72 mins), Spicer (Ellams 73 mins), Burgess, V Rispoli, Hayden, Lees (Tompkins 61 mins), Butler (C), Ofori, Lovell, Costa.
Subs not used: Holland, L Risoli
Rovers:  Phillips, Ball, Marshall, Rose, Price, Waters, Jeffries, Cooper 9Lock 80 mins), Claridge, Cleverley (C), Rich (Cousins 76 mins).
Subs not used:  Milsom, Burchill, Redwood.

Star Man: Simon Grant (Hayes)

Referee: S Daly
Assts: K Bailey / G Weston
Attendance: 72