Overall a draw was just about the right result but anyone who witnessed the game will wonder how both sides failed to score at Lodge Road.

Pete Sheppard and Rob Claridge were both off target for the visitors early on but then a slip on the tricky surface by Danny Boys almost saw ex Bath City winger, Craig Davidge, clear but his effort was somehow blocked. Rover's young keeper, Kyle Phillips. produced a great save on 15 minutes to deny Darren Hawkins after good work by David Anyinsah.

Rovers were dealt  a huge blow 2 minutes later when central defender, Mike Trought, went down with a pulled hamstring on his right leg and had to helped from the field.

Phillips produced a couple of good saves to frustrate Hawkins and Davidge before on the half hour Chris Lane, on for Trought, went on one of his now famous runs and saw his shot headed just past the post by a Yate defender. Rovers should have been ahead 2 minutes later as Jon French put Rob Claridge through but his deflected shot fell to Josh Jefferies 10 yards out but with the goal at his mercy he scooped the ball over the bar.

It could have proved costly but Hawkins failed to take advantage of a Phillips slip and both Yate strikers failed to get on the end of a great run and cross from full back, Edd Vahid. The half ended in unsavoury fashion with both sets of players squaring up to each other somewhat against the concept of a pre season friendly!

Rovers produced a great move on 58 minutes as substitue Ricky Hulbert crossed from the right and only a great diving save from Yate's substitute keeper, Lee Matthews, prevented Claridg's header from breaking the deadlock. Josh Jefferies went close minutes later when his shot flashed across goal after a good run and pass from Lane. The game continued to flow from end to end as Phillips saved well again, this time from Vahid before Hulbert's pace took him clear but his lob over the keeper also cleared the bar. With just 3 minutes left Rovers almost snatched the win as Ben Cleverley's free kick was headed on by brother Dan and Hulbert once again lobbed the keeper but this time his effort was headed off the line.

Rovers completed their pre season campaign with another good performance against a Premier Division side and manager, Andy Jones, will have a lot of thinking to do before he names his starting 11 for the first league game next week. Sadly the name of Mike Trought will be missing as his injury will probably keep him out for several weeks.