Rovers 0 - 0 Cray Wanderers

The defences won the day in Rovers 0-0 draw against promotion chasing Cray Wanderers.
By Dan Thurogood - The Echo

Despite only having one fully fit centre back, Lewis Sparrow, manager Gary Ansell called upon the reliance of Ellis Sands to step into the heart of the defence. The makeshift defender repaid his faith with a sterling partnership that halted both Rovers poor run of results, and a Cray side that have been the surprise package of Ryman North this season.
But today wasn't a day to concentrate on individual performances, it was a day that required a team performance and this is exactly what Ansell got.
Keeper Adam Seal saw red in the closing stages, but Rovers side managed to hang on and deservedly take something from the match.

And, in the first-half, it was Rovers who had the better of the chances.

A misjudged back pass by defender Peter Smith allowed Jacob Cleaver to go through on goal but good work from goalkeeper Nick Blue managed to put off the Rovers forward as he fired wide of the target.

Before long, Cleaver was involved again down the left-hand side as he flashed a cross across the box, with loan signing Kris Newby just unable to get enough contact on the stretch to turn it home.

However, after Rovers’ early pressure, the away side began to show their quality and an effort from Andre McCollin, playing for National League Aldershot last term, was blocked on the line by Charlie Barlow after the initial corner was whipped in to the back post.

Newby was involved again after the break, as his stinging drive from 25 yards tested Blue, but Wanderers began to take control as the match ticked towards its climax.

However, despite having plenty of possession, Cray failed to create any clear cut chances to break the deadlock.

Alberto Pinto was involved in a fracas with McCollin in the final 10 minutes, with the Rovers man convinced he had been headbutted by the latter.

But both were merely yellow-carded for the ensuing melee.

Keeper Seal was sent off in the final minutes, having fouled McCollin as he burst through, with Matt Belcher coming on to make his debut.

And the keeper was forced into action as he saved the resulting free-kick, and a later chance, as Rovers survived late pressure from Cray to earn the point, and end a run of three heavy defeats on the bounce.