Bristol Rovers 1 Boston 1

Last updated : 28 December 2002 By Footymad Previewer

A penalty three minutes from time came between Boston and a perfect Christmas.

They were heading comfortably for a third win in a row until RoversÂ’ Latvian Vitalijs Astafjevs was bundled over by Jimmy Gould at the end of a close encounter.

Boston's keeper Paul Bastock was sent the wrong way by Wayne Carlisle's low spot-kick to his right.

After a poor fist half Rovers were worth a point after Richard Logan had put Boston well on top with an early goal, their 10th in three matches.

The Pirates have become used to going behind but not usually as early as the eighth minute.

As the ball came in from the right, central defenders Adam Barrett and Kevin Austin stood off and gave Logan room to turn and fire low across the keeper.

Boston had a golden chance to two up before half time when Barrett mistimed a back header allowing Logan in again.

Keeper Scott Howie, seeing the danger, managed to fist away off LoganÂ’s head.

Rovers were close to an equaliser from their first corner, Paul Tait heading just over the bar, but the initiative stayed with confident Boston.

Rovers were left snatching at long-range volleys from Astafjevs and Carlisle to put Boston under some pressure.

Rovers manager Ray Graydon is refusing to speak to the media but clearly had plenty to say to his team during the break.

They had more aggression to their game even if three Boston players quickly needed treatment and Tait was booked for the second time in three days.

Sub Dave Gilroy who had replaced Bradley Allen at half time got in a searching header for Rovers, but Howie was soon at full stretch to deny Peter Costello a goal which might have killed off any hopes of a home revival.

It was a save equalled by Bastock who brought off a fine one-handed stop from Robert Quinn as Rovers stormed in to the game.