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  • Kick-off: 15:00
  • Venue: The Memorial Stadium
  • Attendance: 6927
  • Referee: Kettle, T

Live Commentary

90 mins

That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.

90 mins

It's red. He's off. Chris Herd has been sent off.

87 mins

Rickie Lambert takes a penalty for Bristol Rovers and scores!.

85 mins

Port Vale are replacing Tobias Mikaelsson with Kyle Perry.

84 mins

Chris Herd is booked for unsporting behaviour.

81 mins

Goal!! Chris Lines scores for Bristol Rovers.

69 mins

Andy Williams is being taken off, Sean Rigg has come on in his place.

65 mins

Bristol Rovers are replacing Craig Disley with Lewis Haldane.

65 mins

David Pipe is replaced by Sam Igoe.

64 mins

Goal!! Keith Lowe scores for Port Vale.

61 mins

David Howland is replaced by Danny Whitaker.

46 mins

The second half is under way with the score currently at 1 v 1.

46 mins

Port Vale are replacing Paul Edwards with Krystian Pearce.

45 mins

Half time whistle is blown by T Kettle

39 mins

The referee has booked David Howland.

33 mins

The referee has booked Paul Harsley.

13 mins

Goal!! Danny Coles scores for Bristol Rovers.

12 mins

Paul Harsley takes a penalty for Port Vale and scores!.

0 mins

It's 3pm on Saturday, February 2nd, the match has kicked off.

Match Report

Danny Coles gave away a goal before grabbing Bristol Rovers' first equaliser 90 seconds later without knowing much about either as the Pirates came from behind to beat Port Vale 3-2.

The centre-back had a hand stuck out when the ball bounced awkwardly to give Port Vale a 12th-minute penalty that was converted by Paul Harsley.

Then, going up for a corner, Coles stuck out a knee to connect with a downward header from Craig Hinton.

Both goals were in keeping with a terrible bumpy pitch and an icy wind.

Anchored to the bottom of League One, with one win in 11 games, Vale had made eight January signings to none by Rovers.

But with Harsley providing a decent service from midfield they held a good shape going forward without finding the ammunition for top-scorer Luke Rodgers to add to his ten goals.

Rovers were more route one but threw away their chances when they got in behind a fragile defence.

Twice Rickie Lambert put his partner, Andy Williams, through but each time Vale were allowed off the hook.

Williams outpaced defenders for the first chance but his shot strayed off course. He went to the other side of goal in his second break but this time hit the post.

The Memorial Ground has been a lucky one for Port Vale, where they have left winners on their three previous visits. They had visions of winning again when an unchallenged Keith Lowe headed them back into the lead from a 64th-minute corner.

It was a desperate moment for Rovers coach Paul Trollope. He reacted by sending-on all his subs, although his changes were not well received by the crowd.

But they worked as his side surged to an unlikely win. Chris Lines scored the equaliser in the 81st minute, his left-foot shot bouncing in off the post as he lay on the ground.

The winner, which left the visitors forlorn, was controversial. Harsley bitterly contested a ruling that he had handled, but Lambert stepped up to hammer a penalty past Joe Anyon for his 13th goal this season.

Bristol Rovers Team

Port Vale Team

Bristol Rovers

Port Vale

Corners

6 6

Fouls

8 16

Goal attempts

19 7

Shots off target

9 2

Offsides

3 7

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