Blog Catch Up: Bristol Rovers 3 Barnet 1

Lee Brown got Rovers rolling as they easily took the sting out of the Bees.

Skipper Chris Lines picked out unmarked Brown from a corner on the right in only the second minute and the left back opened his account for the season by drilling home a low 25 yard strike through a crowded area.

Rovers boss Darrell Clarke was pleased with the win, but admitted to being unimpressed with his players before the break. He revealed:

"I had a go at the lads at half time. We had a bit of a heated discussion. We changed things and then looked a lot more comfortable.

"I thought it was an entertaining end-to-end game."

Jermaine Easter sealed the win from twelve yards in the 77th minute with his first of the campaign when he belted the ball in after substitute Matty Taylor's shot from distance was deflected into his path.

Barnet captain Curtis Weston gave them hope briefly in the 86th minute when he fired in a low shot from the edge of the box.

But within one minute Taylor had restored Rovers two goal cushion with his first league goal when he slotted in skipper Chris Lines's pass from eight yards.

Both teams were promoted back into the Football League last term, but Play-Off winners Rovers always looked the better side.

Brown, Lines and midfielder Ollie Clarke all tested Barnet keeper Graham Stack early in the second half, and on the hour Easter rattled the post and midfielder had the follow-up ruled offside. 

Barnet manager Martin Allen admitted:

"I thought they deserved to win. They were sharper, brighter and better than us. It's my responsibility though. The players give everything and work hard. We now have to dust ourselves down, get our shoulders back and our heads up."