No reward for Rovers

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A strong Rovers side were left to rue missed chances as they slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to Everton.

Leigh Sports Village played host to Rovers for the first time this season and although Gary Bowyer's side dominated the match from start to finish, it was the visitors who left with the points after Shane Duffy scored a second half header, Everton's only effort at goal in a smash-and-grab display.

Rovers were quick out of the blocks creating a decent chance inside only two minutes. Micah Evans showed good pace down the right to pull the back for Josh Morris but from 12 yards the winger somehow fired over.

Diogo Rosado looked lively on his first Rovers outing, on ten minutes the midfielder collected a pass from Evans before cutting inside but his left-footed shot was brilliantly turned behind by Mateusz Taudul in the Everton goal.

Everton were offering little as an attacking force as Rovers continue to dominate in terms of possession, Edinho showing good persistance to steal the ball from Ibou Touray in the area, but his near post shot was saved by the 'keeper's legs.

Simon Vukcevic saw a header deflect wide, whilst Micah Evans saw a shot saved after a strong forward run. But the chance of the first half fell to Vukcevic who hit a stupendous 40-yard effort that beat Taudul all ends up but the ball crashed down off the crossbar and away.

Aside from one punched clearance, Rovers stopper Gzregorz Sandomierski had very little to do, likewise the defenders in front of him, Nuno Henrique threatening further upfield when he headed a Rosado corner into the side-netting.

At the break the only thing lacking from Rovers' first half display was goals.

Rovers started the second half in the same manner, again with Diogo Rosado forcing the play. The midfielder should have done better when the ball fell nicely for him in the box but the 22-year-old lashed wide.

Gary Bowyer's men would live to regret their catalog of missed opportunities when the visitors scored with their first effort on goal of the game.

It came on 59 minutes after Everton were generously awarded a free-kick on the right and as the ball was delivered deep to the back post Johan Hammar headed back across goal for his defensive partner Shane Duffy and he nodded home from close-range.

Unbowed Rovers continued to press, Rosado was wide with another effort before substitute Osayamen Osawe saw a shot across goal tipped away by Taudul.

The chances kept on coming for Rovers, but Taudul continued to keep them at bay, the Polish-born goalkeeper reacting quickly when a Simon Vukcevic goalbound effort took a deflection and then denying sub' Jamie Maclaren with his legs after the Australian shot hard and low.

As the clock ticked towards the ninety the home side got more and more desperate with their efforts, Osawe and Morris both guilty of shooting well wide from distance. Simon Vukcevic went closer but an Everton boot diverted the Montenegrin's effort narrowly wide.

The result was harsh on Rovers as they ran the game from start to finish, but as was often the case last season, missed chances were their undoing.

ROVERS: Sandomierski, Henley (c), Beesley, Paulo Jorge, Fernandez, Henrique, Evans (sub Maclaren 79 mins), Vukcevic, Edinho (sub Osawe 72 mins), Diogo Rosado, Morris.

Subs not used: Urwin, Payne, Daly.

Booked: None.

EVERTON: Taudul, Browning, Garbutt (sub Touray 4 mins), Grant, Duffy, Hammar, Kennedy, Kelly, Vellios, Forrester, Green (sub Long 52 mins).

Subs not used: Springthorpe, Pennington, Johns.

Booked: None.