Byron the quickest in history of Pirates
BYRON Moore scored Bristol Rovers’ fastestever league goal, finding the back of the net after just 11 seconds, to down AFC Wimbledon.
Billy Bodin thought he had added a second, only for the linesman to rule the goal out.
Wimbledon dominated for long spells but Rovers boss Darrell Clarke was ecstatic that his side kept themselves in the play-off hunt heading into Easter, just four points outside the top six.
“Obviously it was the dream start and great to score so quickly,” explained Clarke.
“I had said to the players that we had started quickly in our home games over the last five or six but hadn’t been so quick away from home – that is a perfect response.
“We have reached the Easter period four points off the play-offs, that is brilliant.
“We are going to a team fighting for their lives next week in Gillingham, then another team fighting for their lives in Oldham.
“We can only do what we have done here, and I am really proud of the players for taking us to Easter still with a chance.”
Straight from kick-off Ellis Harrison knocked a long ball down for Moore to lash home from 18 yards as the 28year-old wrote himself into the Pirates’ record books.
Bodin had the ball in the net on the 15-minute mark after latching on to Harrison’s flick, but the linesman flagged for offside.
Lyle Taylor proved Wimbledon’s first-half bright spark as he drew a fine save from Joe Lumley, before his freekick was blocked and a near-post header flashed wide.
With the first attack of the second half, Taylor drew another save from Lumley with a clever flick.
Wimbledon dominated the second period but failed to take advantage with Taylor, Jon Meades and Tyrone Barnett passing up opportunities.
And Wimbledon assistant manager, Neil Cox couldn’t hide his frustration. “I am disappointed and we are disappointed,” said Cox.
“We started the game really sloppily and I thought after that we were the better side to be honest with you.
“We tried to get forward and tried to get bodies in the box and as I say when you go 1-0 down in the first minute and they have something to hang on to it becomes difficult.
“I am disappointed for some of the players, because some of them had a right go, but then some of them didn’t and again that is disappointing to me.”