Goals from Jack Aitchison and Matty Stevens led Rovers to their fourth consecutive home win at the Fully Charged New Lawn, as Rob Edwards’ side claimed a 2-1 victory over Rochdale.

The victory means that Rovers extend their unbeaten run to 18 games and remain ten points clear at the top of the League Two table, with a visit to Sutton United up next for Rovers.

Rob Edwards made one change to the side that beat Newport 2-0, with Udoka Godwin-Malife replaced by Dom Bernard in defence due to illness.

On the other side of the dugout, Robbie Stockdale elected to bring new signing James Ball into the starting line-up to make his debut for the Dale in Nailsworth.

After just thirteen minutes Jack Aitchison would go closest for Rovers. The Scotsman glided his way through into the box, drifting past players with ease as his exploits resulted in a right-footed effort that forced Joel Coleman into an early stop.

Just three minutes later, Rovers would continue in their crusade to break the deadlock, as Jordan Moore-Taylor rose highest from a set-piece.

Fans at the Fully Charged New Lawn started to get off their seats, only for Coleman to get fingertips on the ball in a heroic effort to keep his side level.

Rob Edwards side would continue to increase the pressure on the visitors, with Ben Stevenson coming within inches of opening the scoring for Rovers.

The 24-year-old latched onto a rebound from Nicky Cadden’s inviting delivery on the left, lining up a low strike in the 33rd minute which would strike the post as the midfielder’s wait for his maiden Rovers goal continued.

Ebou Adams, fresh from his exploits at AFCON with Gambia, almost handed his side a timely boost just minutes before the break - only for his thunderous effort to fly just wide of Coleman’s goal with a minute remaining in the first half.

Rovers’ captain Jamille Matt would fire wide in the closing moments of added time, resulting in both sides going into the break level in Nailsworth.

While Rovers could argue they had the better chances in the first half, it took just two minutes into the second half for Rochdale to hand the hosts a cruel blow after some intricate passing play on the counter-attack eventually found its way to Liam Kelly.

The ex-Feyenoord man flashed a pin-point delivery into the feet of new signing James Ball, who found himself in a great space from close-range before firing past Luke McGee, who had no real chance of denying Ball from registering a debut goal.

Aitchison continued to drive at the Dale defence throughout the second half, as the creative Scotsman attempted to create a much-needed goal for his side.

Rovers’ number 10 would find himself in a favourable position to latch onto a deflection on the edge of the box in the 66th minute, but his volleyed effort was wide of the mark.

Despite being wide of the mark earlier in the match, Aitchison wouldn’t find himself disheartened and his efforts would eventually be rewarded in spectacular fashion.

While Rovers swarmed forward in their numbers to apply pressure, Aitchison found himself in the perfect position capitalise on a loose ball, as he fired a ferocious strike from the edge of the box on his right-foot past Dale ‘keeper Coleman with 73 minutes played.

As has shown countless times this season, Rob Edwards side weren’t content with settling for a point in front of their fans and went on the front foot to find an all-important second goal.

Eventually Rob Edwards’ side had their second goal to show for their endeavours. The ever-prolific Matty Stevens netted yet another crucial goal for Rovers when they needed it most, heading past Coleman in the 87th minute to register his 20th league goal of the season. 

Rochdale would provide a late scare for the hosts, as goal scorer James Ball fired wide from close-range late in injury time, but Rovers would hold out for a fourth successive home win.