AFC Telford United 0-1 Bristol Rovers

Clarke took over as manager of Bristol Rovers in March 2014

Ollie Clarke's third goal of the season was enough for Bristol Rovers to defeat bottom-placed Telford and move into the play-off places.

Clarke fired an arrowed shot from the edge of the penalty area past Freddy Hall into the bottom corner.

Rovers midfielder Andy Monkhouse received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Ryan Higgins but the Pirates held on to take the points.

The win moves Darrell Clarke's side up to fourth while Telford remain bottom.

Meanwhile, Telford midfielder Jordan Deacey has returned on loan to Conference North side Bradford Park Avenue, from whom he joined the Bucks in the summer.

AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson told BBC Radio Shropshire:

"We didn't deserve to lose, it was a good performance from us and we worked really hard today.

"We more than held our own, and we just did not create enough chances to win the game outright. I could not have asked for more from the lads.

"After a long trip north in midweek and the amount of effort from the team to win that game, it was really pleasing to see that continue today.

"The referee got it right with the red card - but the drop ball incident, I have absolutely no idea what he was doing.

"Unless it is a new rule that has come in he shouldn't have given the ball back to the goalkeeper."

Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I'm really pleased. It is a tough place to come. Torquay found that out. They got beat here and they beat Woking the other night.

"I've said it all along - it takes all different sorts of matches and to come away with three points, I'm absolutely over the moon.

"I thought the boys put their bodies on the line. They didn't play great but I'm not really interested to be honest, it was about the points today.

"Coming to a bottom of the table team, fighting for their lives, it is always going to be a difficult afternoon, but I thought the mentality of the players was very good."