They say when your luck is down, everything goes against you. And the saying was proved true for Rovers again today. A bright start seemed to show that Rovers would have everything to compete with Yate. Leighton Thomas, making his second start since his re-signing, had an early shot blocked and moments later, Ed Butcher got free on the left but his cross was forced behind for a corner. In the 11th minute, Butcher put Thomas clear through on goal but he was flagged offside in what must have been a very close call. There were good signs that the new look attack was starting to link up well.

The 14th minute is where things took a bad turn. From a seemingly poor cross and under no pressure, a mix-up between Neil Martin and Frankie Phillips led to the captain rolling the ball into his own net. It seemed to knock the team and two quick yellow cards followed for both Chris Peck and Dan Restorick as they struggled to regain some control.

With Rovers failing to hold on to the ball for any length of time, in the 21st minute, Yate doubled their lead when Nick McCootie was allowed to turn in the box and fire past Phillips. It was another hammer blow for the team seemingly lacking so much confidence. Things went from bad to worse when, in the 38th minute Ed Butcher had to be replaced after he sustained a head injury in what appeared to be a very physical challenge but the referee saw it as a clash of heads and the game resumed with a drop ball.

The incident seemed to galvanise Rovers somewhat and Dan Cottle, introduced for Butcher, was straight into the action chasing down a through ball into the area. Rovers former keeper, Aaron Sainsbury, tripped Cottle for what should have been a clear penalty but the referee waived away the protests.

As the half time whistle approached, Leighton Thomas was put through again but he seemed to be stuck in two minds whether to shoot or pass to Dan Cottle who was also in a good position. In the end, he was closed down and his hurried shot was easily saved by Sainsbury. A late free kick from Yate struck the crossbar and the half time whistle blew with Yate well on top.

Rovers needed to come out with a big response but it was Yate that went closest to adding to their total when Joe Guest went close with a shot from the edge of the box in the 52nd minute. More bad luck for Rovers led to Yate's third in the 58th minute when a shot from McCootie hit the post and rebounded back into the goal off the back of the diving Frankie Phillips.

Rovers toiled for the rest of the half, labouring to create chances. Several did arrive but shots from Dan Cottle, Joe Hall and Brad Norris failed to trouble the Yate goal. Rovers best chance came in the 72nd minute when Leighton Thomas was put through again, only his shot was lashed over the bar from 18 yards out. But in all honesty, it was Yate that continued to look the more dangerous in the final minutes as the game fizzled out in the wet conditions. There was a lot of bad luck for Rovers today but it would be churlish to say that Yate didn't deserve the win because of that.

With Wimborne Town to come next on Saturday, Rovers are going to have to have a mighty scrap to get themselves out of this position whilst still relying on other teams to fail if they are to avoid the drop.

Next game: Saturday 6th April. Wimborne Town (A). Preview coming soon.