DMW April 22, 2000

RYAN Daley's bizarre last minute goal rescued a point for relieved Rovers against relegation threatened opponents.

Daley, who launched his strange goals series with an 'off the back' effort at Cinderford, saved the home side's bacon when striker Peter Sutton's right wing cross into a crowded goalmouth struck him on the chest and beat bemused 'keeper Warren Ayres.

Four minutes previously, the Greens had received a timely boost when visiting defender Adam Munday was ordered off for a rash challenge on the advancing Steve Ulfig, his second bookable offence.

Hardly a memorable return to the Victoria Ground for the well-built centre half, who played for Rovers during Bob Green's ill-fated reign.

Racing Club offered little in attack for the major part of Saturday's forgettable game and failed to seriously test goalkeeper Mark Jones until the 73th minute, when he blocked a powerful Colin Wells strike.

Rovers broke instantly through top scorer Sutton's speedy burst, but on reaching the edge of the area, he knocked the ball too far ahead and the opportunity was lost.

This proved costly because, with 13 minutes remaining, the homesters fell behind.

Livewire substitute Matt Tovey charged down Jones's lazy clearance from Mark Bowater's back pass and the ball spun upwards and into an empty net.

All this late drama was warmly welcomed by the Easter holiday crowd for the first hour was largely mediocre, and bad tempered, fare.

Steve Daley's men had the best of the opening half with Sutton and Graham Brown both going close and, at the other end, Simon Windsor occasionally tormented the home defence on the left flank before limping off after the break.

Rovers: Jones, Townsend, Ulfig, Turpin, Bowater, Biddle, Davies (sub Humphreys 86), Benbow, Sutton, Daley, Brown. Sub (unused): Pincher.

Attendance: 333. Rovers man of the match: Steve Ulfig.