By then Rovers were three up courtesy of two ill-judged tackles by Phillip Edwards which cost his struggling side goals from a free-kick and the penalty spot.
Adding to his misery the defender was yellow carded for the penalty, a challenge on the edge of the six-yard box which hardly drew an appeal from Rovers as young Stuart Nicholson tumbled to earth.
Stanley, in their first season back in the League, have had more goals against them and collected more cards than any other side in League Two.
There was an early warning for their shaky defence when Byron Anthony headed in a free-kick inside three minutes. That was ruled offside but two minutes later Andy Sandell, restored to Rovers left-flank in place of the suspended Lewis Haldane, outwitted Andrew Todd with a shuffle at the end of a speedy run. Simultaneously, Richard Walker ran in and waited in front of goal for a cross. The cross came, it was perfect, the resultant header was powerful and Rovers were on their way.
The PA announcer had it about right when he burbled at half time "Father Christmas is alive and here" for the rest of the half was a gift for Rovers.
Central defender Steve Elliott thumped their second goal from the first of the two fatal free-kicks conceded by Edwards. A simple ruse 25-yards out with Sam Igoe stepping over the ball caught the defenders unprepared.
Walker hit home the penalty barely two minutes later with a low drive to the keeper's left. He has now scored in each of the last four games he has started.
With three in the bag Rovers had the festive tonic they needed after losing their three previous League games.
Not so Accrington Stanley. Five players in all saw yellow and Andrew Mangan went on to become their sixth red card of the season.
First he was booked for failing to move back ten yards from a free-kick and the red followed immediately when he argued the toss with referee Paul Melin.