Matt Taylor nets winner as Rovers continue promotion push with Mansfield win
Matt Taylor's 20th goal of the season made it a happy 100th game in charge for Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke as they beat Mansfield 1-0 at the Memorial Stadium.
The striker shot home at the far post from Cristian Montano's cross on 61 minutes to give the hosts a fourth successive win and move them to within three points of the automatic promotion places.
But it took an outstanding Steve Mildenhall save from a Lee Collins shot on 87 minutes to protect the lead and deny Mansfield a point.
A crowd of 7,847 were kept subdued by a first half of little goalmouth action, Rovers' Billy Bodin slicing wide from the best chance in injury time.
Mansfield worked hard to frustrate a Rovers side who had netted nine goals in winning their previous three home games.
Ryan Tafozolli pulled off a goal-saving tackle to deny Jermaine Easter on 15 minutes, but it was a rare moment of anxiety for the visiting defence as Rovers were made to sweat for their victory.
Source: PA
