Bristol Rovers lost for the first time in Sky Bet League One this season after a 2-0 defeat to Stockport County at Edgeley Park.
The Gas had the better early opportunities, with Taylor Moore seeing a header pushed over by Corey Addadi before Bryant Bilongo missed the target from the following corner.
The Hatters grew into the game, with Louie Barry firing a low strike from the heart of the box straight at Josh Griffiths before scoring the opener with a fantastic effort from distance.
Stockport continued to create chances and doubled their lead in the second half, with Kyle Wootton scoring next to the goal after a header across from Fraser Horsfall.
Both teams started the day with perfect defensive records in the league after two games, with the Gas putting on the early pressure and forcing the hosts into mistakes in possession.
However, chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges. Promise Omochere headed his tame effort just off target, and Jack Diamond’s low drive from the edge of the box deflected just wide off Clinton Mola.
The Pirates then had the first shot on target of the match after a clever routine. Luke Thomas’ inswinging corner found Taylor Moore, who had escaped his marker, but his downward header was pushed over the bar by Corey Addai. Thomas caused more problems with his following cross moments later, with Bryant Bilongo heading wide.
The Hatters’ attacking threat was handled valiantly by Rovers’ defence but they also looked threatening through set-pieces. Debutant Oliver Norwood’s inviting corner found Horsfall, who forced Griffiths into a strong stop before the rebound was lashed over.
Stockport gained confidence as the first half progressed and were playing the ball around neatly. Barry and Wootton combined with a clever one-two in the box before Barry fired a low drive straight at the goalkeeper.
The hosts were applying pressure and broke the deadlock soon after. Mola’s clearing header fell to Barry, who let the ball bounce ahead of him on the outskirts of the area before blasting his right-footed strike past Griffiths.
They then went close to doubling their advantage. Diamond’s drilled effort across the goal was cleared off the line before Wotton’s flicked attempt was thumped away.
Nevertheless, Rovers kept pushing before the break, with Moore’s low strike from range collected by the goalkeeper on the second attempt.
Griffiths has been brilliant for the Gas since joining on loan from West Bromwich Albion and did well to stop a second goal for Stockport soon after the restart, pushing Will Collar’s shot towards the bottom corner just around the post.
The Pirates struggled to wrestle any control of proceedings and conceded just past the hour mark. Norwoord’s brilliant corner was headed back across the goal by Horsfall towards Wootton, who had a simple finish from close range.
Matt Taylor made three substitutions quickly after the goal, with the Gas going close to getting one back. Omochere battled his way into the box, and his cutback bobbled out to Jake Garrett, but he struck his attempt just wide.
Scott Sinclair came on moments later and was straight into the action, collecting Garrett’s lifted ball into the box before poking his shot over.
Ultimately, the Gas lost for the first time in the league this season to Stockport, who remain in first place after keeping three consecutive clean sheets.
Stockport County: Addai, Touray, Horsfall, Diamond (Fevrier 58), Camps, Collar (Onyango 90), Pye, Mingi, Wootton (Bailey 90), Barry (Olaofe 73), Norwood.
Subs not used: Hinchliffe, Cina, Mapengu.
Goals: Barry 39, Wootton 64
Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Moore (Taylor 69), Wilson, Mola, Ward (Garrett 69), Omochere, Thomas, Martin (Sotiriou 49), Hutchinson (Senior 69), Conteh, Bilongo (Sinclair 76).
Subs not used: McCormick, Shaw
Booked: Mola 28, Conteh 45+2, Garrett 90+2
Referee: Paul Howard
Attendance: 9,423
