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Beevers joins Kirk and Lee to attack

Bristol Rovers 1-1 Pilgrims

Coca Cola League

With Austin McCann serving a one match suspension and five members of his squad out injured and four others nursing injuries, manager Steve Evans had little choice but to plunge new loan signings Dominic Roma and Scott Wiseman straight into the starting line-up. Lee Beevers returned after injury had ruled him out last Wednesday. One other change saw David Noble dropped to the subs' bench and in came Steven Boyack to make his first start for the club. In the opening stages Bristol created lots of chances but their finishing tended to be rather wayward. Junior Agogo fired wide after receiving the ball via a header from Craig Disley. Then Disley headed a cross from Robbie Ryan wide. Then Aaron Lescott drove his shot low and wide. Agogo went past three defenders but his final shot was once again wide of the target. Chris Holland missed a great opportunity to give Boston the lead when he also fired wide from 12 yards out after being found by Jason Lee's cross from the left wing. A flurry of chances just before half-time saw Abbey called into action, making saves from Agogo and Ryan Williams. At half time Boston made a change in their line-up bringing Lee Thompson on for Scott Wiseman. Five minutes into the half Boston had their customary penalty appeal turned down after referee Mick Fletcher decided that Christian Edwards had not used his arm to keep out Simon Rusk's shot.

At the other end Abbey soon made a good save to parry a shot from a tight angle by Agogo. Boston pressed again and Danny Thomas saw his volley go high and wide. Action switched ends again and Paul Ellender just managed to clear a dangerous cross by Craig Hinton. Boston took the lead just before the hour mark when Steven BOYACK opened his Boston account by sweeping the ball home after Lee Thompson had nodded Danny Thomas's cross into the path of the Scotsman. Bristol responded well and in the 74th minute their renewed pressure paid off with an equaliser when Williams crossed to AGOGO who fired the ball into the net from the centre of the area. Both sides had chances to win the match in the remaining minutes. Andy Kirk spun past one defender then passed another but his eventual shot was wild and inaccurate. Right at the end Abbey made a good interception to parry a cross from Agogo that was heading towards two incoming forwards. After the match manager Steve Evans commented: "We've missed the two biggest chances in the game and we've been sloppy for the goal, so all in all it's a long journey back and we're all disappointed."

United team: Nathan Abbey, Dominic Roma, Lee Beevers, Paul Ellender, Scott Wiseman (Lee Thompson 46), Simon Rusk, Steven Boyack (Courtney Pitt 81), Chris Holland, Andy Kirk, Jason Lee, Danny Thomas. Subs not used: David Noble, Stephen O'Donnell, David Staff.


Match report copyright © Ken Fox, 2005. Photograph copyright © Pat Everitt, 2005.