Max Gnandi put the Rovers in front in under ten minutes by heading in a cross from Bradley Bennett. Takeley levelled the game ten minutes before the break when a long throw into the box was headed on and Jack Mitchell headed the ball in at the back post. Rovers were back in front five minutes later when Jack McQueen scored by heading in a corner from Alfie Whiteaker. The hosts then leveled the game just before halftime when George Pullen headed in another long throw as he headed the ball in for their second. Lanre Balogun scored the winner for Takeley after he pounced on a defensive error just before Rovers were reduced to ten men when Jack McQueen was sent off for his second yellow.

The defeat leaves the Rovers in fifth place inside the playoffs however after already booking their place after defeating Romford on Saturday. Marcus Bowers made three changes after Saturday: Shaye La-Rose, Bradleigh Rowland and Jack Dickinson made way for Alfie Whiteaker, Igli Metalia and Kingdom Dawson to freshen things up before Saturday's game with Benfleet.

KICKOFF:

Rovers couldn't of asked for a better start to the game as they opened the scoring after six minutes. Bradley Bennett won a throw in on the right and threw the ball to Ben Search who laid the ball out to Bennett and sent a swinging first time cross to the near post for Max Gnandi to head the ball in to the bottom corner.

The visitors were settled into the game well and dominated large periods of the game with their exchange of passing.

With ten minutes to go, Takeley leveled the score. Glenn O'Hanlon sent a corner to the near post for Olly Miles to flick the ball on for the on for Jordan Wescott to head the ball on to the back post for an un marked Jack Mitchell to slot the ball in. The goal had been coming but three minutes later, Rovers went back in front.

Alfie Whiteaker sent a corner towards the back post and Jack McQueen rose highest to head the ball in at the back post for his first goal for the club.

Rovers almost added another before the break but the Takeley custodian Jarvis Monk did well to clear up any crosses that were sent his way. When Takeley broke away on a counter, Jack McQueen received a caution for a challenge to stop a counter.

Just before the interval, Takeley leveled the score once again.

Lewis Wicker delivered a corner from the left to the back post and George Pullen timed his run well to head the ball in to level the score before the break.

HALFTIME: Takeley 2-2 Rovers

The second half would prove to be an exciting affair as both teams were very evenly matched.

Rovers first proper opportunity came after twenty minutes. A ball floated into the box was headed on by Igli Metalia and Callum Boylan smashed a well hit shot which forced Monk to make a good save with his feet at the near post.

Boylan was proving to be a thorn in the side for the Rovers and was causing problems with his forward runs and ball control.

He was played through on goal at one point and dribbled past several played before he was seemingly hauled down just outside the box but the referee wasn't interested.

With under fifteen minutes left, the visitors had a great chance when O'Hanlon played a reverse pass over the top for Mitchell to run on goal. George Martin stood tall and Mitchell tried an audacious attempt to lift the ball over him but Martin was on his toes and reached up to flick the ball out for a corner.

With ten minutes left to go, Takeley scored what would be the winner. A defensive error at the back was pounced on by substitute Lanre Balogun to drive on at goal and slot the ball past George Martin into the bottom left corner.

Rovers were dealt further misery five minutes before fulltime as they were reduced to ten men when Jack McQueen received his second caution of the game and was sent off.

Rovers had several opportunities and penalty shouts in the dying stages but they were all in vain and the visitors held out for the win.

FULLTIME: Takeley 3-2 Rovers

A tough loss to take but no time to dwell as Rovers must pick themselves up for a big week to come. They play the final of their two remaining home games with a local derby on Saturday 12th as they welcome Benfleet at Burroughs Park and then welcome Takeley on Tuesday 15th for their Errington Challenge Cup Semi Final tie.

Well done to the thirty fans who turned out in the blistering cold to get behind the team, your support is hugely appreciated. Up the Rovers.