Rovers secured their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup after a dramatic 6-5 penalty shootout victory against 2017/18 semi-finalists, Bristol City.

Lewis Thomas was the hero of the day for Rovers, he saved the decisive penalty by the oppositions Cameron Pring, sending the Green Army into the second round of the cup. 

Scottish midfielder Regan Hendry netted a last gasp equaliser for FGR to send the fixture to penalties, but only after a brace either side of half-time by young Gambian forward Saiko Janneh had seemingly put Nigel Pearson’s side through to the next round. 

Rovers started well and opened the scoring through Jamille Matt in the 10th minute. Matt finished off a beautiful flowing move, which ended with Jack Aitchison firing in a low cross for the captain to smash home.

After a build-up of pressure, the Championship side got their equaliser in the 40th minute. Saiko Janneh fired home a Nakhi Wells low cross, via a deflection, the young forwards first ever goal for the opposition side.

Janneh bagged his second goal of the game, bending home a right-footed shot into the far-right corner with 23 minutes of normal time remaining in the match. 

Regan Hendry, who assisted Ebou Adams dramatic late winner against Sutton United, slotted home his own 90th minute goal to send the home fans into raptures for the second game running.

Rovers fashioned some great chances in the second half, with Saturday’s hero, Ebou Adams managing to fire in an acrobatic effort from a Matt cross, but the opposition goalkeeper Max O’Leary, was equal to it.

It was the first competitive match between the two sides, but it seemed like a regular fiery rivalry with many scuffles and confrontations breaking out throughout the first half, the most notable ending up with both Udoka Godwin-Malife and Wells going into the book.

The fiery fixture continued in the second half, with referee Darren Drysdale dishing out a further 3 yellow cards to Dan Sweeney, Danny Simpson and Adams.

Rob Edwards’ men travel to Walsall next in the league and they will be looking to continue this great start to the season with a victory at the Banks’s Stadium.