An 18-year winless run against Huddersfield Town was extended by on-loan Bristol City striker Phil Jevons scoring one and making the other against the Robins' local rivals.
Rovers have not beaten Town since a 3-2 triumph at the old Leeds Road ground in 1989 and a Jevons gleefully put the boot in on 55 minutes as the home side ended a run of three straight league defeats.
Jevons clinically drilled a low shot into the net after Nat Clarke, who set up Town's opener with a long throw, fired in another long throw which the Pirates defence failed to clear.
That proved to be the winner and it came just three minutes after David Pipe equalised for Rovers with their first shot on target.
Rovers were outplayed in the first half and rarely troubled keeper Matt Glennon after the break, despite an improved display. The visitors could even have lost by more as Michael Collins hit the post with a long-range rocket on 75 minutes.
Huddersfield had earlier taken the lead on 15 minutes when Ronnie Wallwork's shot, after Clarke's long throw was flicked on by Andy Booth on his 350th league appearance for the Terriers and then laid off to Wallwork by Jevons, was deflected past keeper Steve Phillips.
The home side made heavy weather of beating Rovers, who had not played a league game since November 24th after their home games against Cheltenham and Swansea were postponed, in freezing conditions.
Booth, Danny Schofield and Jevons all wasted chances in the first half. And they were nearly made to pay the price in the third minute of stoppage time when Rovers came close to getting a second equaliser.
Substitute Matt Groves fired over a cross from the left and nine-goal top scorer Rickie Lambert should have done better than head wide from close range considering he was unmarked.