THE pressure was on Town to win and they delivered with more style than the scoreline suggests.

After three draws and a defeat it was imperative for Peter Jackson's side to cement three points, not only to maintain faith among the fans but to bolster confidence in the squad.

They achieved just about every objective on the day (thanks to goals from Rob Edwards and Jon Stead) apart from a clean sheet, although it was well into the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end that Paul Tait rewarded 705 frustrated travelling fans.

They had had to wait until a Graham Hyde shot five minutes from time for anything to employ Town keeper Ian Gray - and the tame-looking 25-yard effort was greeted with nothing but ironic cheers and mocking applause.

It was a measure of how dominant Town had been, particularly in defence, and it was a shame they couldn't score more than twice - a feat they achieved only three times through the whole of last season.

Town, in fact, were much sharper than they had been against either York or Doncaster, they were first to more loose ball and more cohesive in possession.

Town looked better balanced with Edwards in the left-back slot, Lee Fowler and the excellent Tony Carss were much more productive in midfield and Andy Booth led the line splendidly until being forced off with a hamstring strain. He would have had a goal, too, had a shot not struck partner Jon Stead.

The workaholic Stead curled an early effort just wide in a statement of Town's intent and shoddy Rovers could have been dead and buried by half time.

Unmarked Efe Sodje should have done better with a downward header from a corner, and how Booth failed to connect with the return ball at the back post I'll never know.

Booth was also unmarked on 23 minutes when meeting an Ian Hughes cross from the right, but the big striker could only direct the header at relieved goalkeeper Kevin Miller.

It took 32 minutes for Town to break the deadlock, and it was no surprise that Paul Scott should be at the root of the move.

The 23-year-old, making his first start for nine months, was a tower of strength alongside Sodje at the back, put in some crunching tackles and was cool on the ball when he'd muscled control.

It was his confident pass out to the flank which gave Edwards time and space to press forward and, after an intervention from Carss, the skipper smacked home a firm right-foot drive.

Edwards had not scored for Town at the McAlpine since his well-remembered winner against Blackburn in a Sky televised match in August 1999.

That was Steve Bruce's first League win after replacing Jackson, so perhaps it was fitting Edwards should be on the mark in the first League win of Jackson's second spell at the helm.

Hughes, again solid at right-back, stopped the only two Rovers attacks of the half - heading clear a Tait effort and then blocking Junior Agogo on the run.

Town maintained their momentum into the second half and Booth, who had earlier gone off to have two stitches in an eye wound and mistakenly returned wearing a No9 shirt like Stead, was injured again when crossing for Stead in a lovely move involving Danny Schofield.

Jackson's side missed Booth's presence up front even though substitute Nat Brown chased plenty of lost causes, and perhaps it was understandable that Rovers should see more of the ball in the second half with Hyde directing operations.

Town's fans - fewer than 8,000 - were naturally anxious and you could feel the relief when Stead rattled in his fifth of the season with 12 minutes to go.

It came from a lovely break and a perfectly weighted pass from Fowler, who will miss Saturday's trip to Bury because he's playing for Wales Under 21s.

Stead gathered the ball, made space for a shot and then fired a right foot drive past Miller off the underside of the bar. Rovers manager Ray Graydon, suffering a first defeat, praised Town's display.

"There was definitely a bite in every tackle and the way they set about making it difficult for us was just exemplary," said Graydon.

"I don't think we were comfortable at any time because Huddersfield never allowed us any time on the ball."

Even though wingman Jon Newby found it difficult to make an impact on the right, Town harried Rovers out of their stride from the off and Jackson was happy.

"This was a must-win game for us and credit to the lads, they've come through," he said. "It sounds a close game, but we had enough chances to have romped it long before Bristol Rovers scored.

"We still know we can play better, but it was a good battling performance and a vital result for the football club, because we needed some confidence and to take a little bit of pressure off with our first win.

"There was a lot of effort and a great deal of determination and I'm pleased with all the lads because they deserved it.

"The passion and commitment which had been a little bit lacking against York was there for all to see and, while we could have had three or four goals before half time, the important thing was that we won and took the points.

"It's important, now, that we don't let this good work go to waste and that we go to Bury on Saturday looking for another win to push us up the table."

MATCH FACTS (Town 4-4-2)

Ian Gray Denied his first clean sheet by a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Otherwise had little to trouble him. Rating: 7/10

Ian Hughes Fantastic covering tackle to prevent Agogo equalising. Also set up Booth for a clear heading opportunity. Rating: 7/10

Rob Edwards Put Town ahead on his return and provided both solidity and balance on the left hand side of a solid defence. Rating: 7/10

Paul Scott Hardly put a foot wrong in his first start for nine months and restricted Rovers to very few scoring chances. Rating: 8/10

Efe Sodje Quick to attack the ball once again and set a quicker tempo for Town's play overall. A contender for top man. Rating: 7/10

Jon Newby Played on the right wing and had an early shot deflected over. Worked hard but didn't impact on the game. Rating: 6/10

Lee Fowler Played a super ball through for Jon Stead's clinching goal and signed off well before joining Wales U21s. Rating: 7/10

Tony Carss Big contender for the man-of-the-match award for his running, industry and work between the boxes. Rating: 7/10

Danny Schofield Unlucky to be booked. Made a couple of decent chances and had several shots himself without success. Rating: 6/10

Andy Booth Should have done better from Hughes' cross in first half but super until he was forced off injured. Rating: 7/10

Jon Stead Cracking fifth goal of the season to seal it and played with more confidence than in the last two games. Rating: 7/10

Bristol Rovers

Miller, Boxall, Austin, Edwards, Anderson, Hyde, Quinn (Carlisle 89), Savage, Street (Hodges 60), Tait, Agogo (Willock 71).

Subs not used: Uddin, Parker.

***

STAR MAN: PAUL SCOTT

Second successive award and there could be more to follow at this rate. Solid, aggressive and decisive, he would probably have stopped Rovers' cross for their goal had he not already been booked. Cool on the ball and a good foil for Efe Sodje.

KEY MOMENT

Jon Stead's goal on 78 minutes because it gave Town some breathing space at just the right time. They needed it, eventually, because of Tait's goal in stoppage time at the end.

Subs used: Town: Brown for Booth 57, Holdsworth for Newby 80. Rovers: Hodges for Street 60, Willock for Agogo 71, Carlisle for Quinn 89.

Subs not used: Town: Senior, Mirfin, Worthington. Rovers: Uddin, Parker.

Scorers: Town: Edwards 32, Stead 78. Rovers: Tait 90.

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancs).

Bookings: Town: Stead, Schofield, Scott. Rovers: Tait.

Shots on target: Town 5, Rovers 2.

Corners: Town 3, Rovers 1.

Caught offside: Town 2, Rovers 5.

Free-kicks awarded: Town 8, Rovers 13.

Attendance: 8,486 (Away 705).

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