Rovers have to settle for a point in BS7.
Goals from Ryan Loft and Bobby Thomas were not enough to claim all three points for the Gas against a frustrating Morecambe side.
Deadline day signing Bobby Thomas was named in the starting line-up for Rovers for the game with Morecambe. Fellow new boy Sylvester Jasper was named among the substitutes, alongside Luke McCormick and the returning Trevor Clarke.
For Morecambe, Lewis Gibson's brother Liam Gibson started, but there was no family reunion on the pitch as the Gas centre-half missed out after picking up a knock in last week's 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury.
The Gas started the game brightly, Collins' let fly from 25 yards. Ripley was beaten but the ball cannoned into the post and away. 30 seconds later, Collins looked like he was fouled by Morecambe 'keeper Ripley but the referee disagreed.
But it was the visitors who hit first. The ball fell at the feet of Jensen Weir following a Morecambe corner kick. The midfielder let fly from the edge of the box and saw his effort fly into the top corner of Belshaw's goal to put the Shrimps one up.
Rovers looked to respond to the setback. Neat play from Sam Finley set Aaron Collins away who did well to work his way into the Morecambe penalty area. Forced to take on the shot from a tight angle, Aaron was unfortunate to see his effort drag agonisingly wide of the target.
Rovers found the equaliser just before the half-hour mark. An inswinging cross from Aaron Collins evaded the Morecambe defenders in the box and fell to Ryan Loft who turned the ball home from close range for his second league goal this season.
Collins came within inches of adding a second for the Gas after Ripley had parried the forwards initial effort back out to the Rovers No.10. Aaron did well to dig out another shot which was crucially deflected wide by Rawson in the Morecambe back line.
Morecambe retook the lead shortly after the restart. Kieran Phillips made no mistake with his finish and rolled the ball past Belshaw and Rovers would have to respond again.
They very nearly did when a Luca Hoole cross was sent goalwards by Jacob Bedeau forcing Ripley into a smart save to maintain the Shrimp's slender lead. Joey Barton then rolled the dice with 20 minutes left to play. Sending on Harry Anderson, Trevor Clarke and Sylvester Jasper for his Gas debut.
Rovers did find the equaliser 10 minutes from full time. A corner sent in by Antony Evans wasn't dealt with by the Morecambe defenders and Bobby Thomas reacted first to score on his Rovers debut.
There was to be no late dramatics in the tie and Rovers had to settle for a point. Next up for the Gas is the trip to MK Dons on Saturday, 10th September (3pm KO).
ROVERS: Belshaw, Gordon, Kilgour, Finley, Marquis, Collins, Coutts (c), Loft, Evans, Hoole, Thomas.
Subs: Jaakkola, Whelan, Saunders, Clarke, Jasper, McCormick, Anderson.
MORECAMBE: Ripley, Love, Gibson, Rawson, Taylor, Fane, Weir, Bedeau, Watts, Shaw, Phillips.
Subs: Smith, Connolly, McLoughlin, Cooney, O'Connor, Mayor, Rooney.
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Attendance: 8,821 (200 away)