Bristol Rovers are out of the Carabao Cup after losing 2-0 to Sky Bet Championship side Cardiff City in the first-round.
Chances were scarce before half-time, with Alex Robertson having a powerful effort from inside the box blocked by Jake Garrett before Promise Omochere fired the Gas’ best effort over the top from the edge of the box after a speedy attack forward.
However, it was Cardiff who scored the first goal after the break. Ollie Tanner’s inviting corner was met by Mark McGuinness, whose header had enough to get over the line.
The Gas committed men forward and conceded again in stoppage-time, with Rubin Colwill getting on the end of a ball from Kieron Evans to score from close range.
Matt Taylor made six changes to the side that beat Northampton Town in Sky Bet League One, handing starts to Joel Senior, Michael Forbes, Jamie Lindsay and Garrett.
The visitors were attempting to avenge their 2-0 defeat to the Bluebirds in a pre-season friendly just ten days ago and started brightly, constantly winning possession in advanced areas through their press.
Nevertheless, the hosts had the first opportunity of the contest just before the half-hour mark. Alex Robertson gained possession outside the box and played a clever one-two with Wilfred Kanga to gain space before seeing his right-footed shot deflect over the bar.
Cardiff then went close moments later after Luey Giles’ searching cross from the left bobbled around the area before dropping to Roberton, but his powerful blast from close range was blocked bravely by Garrett.
The Pirates had then had their best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes after a flowing move. Scott Sinclair held onto the ball on the halfway line and tapped a pass into Omochere, who unleashed Luke Thomas with a ball down the right. He burst forward before cutting it back across to Omochere on the outskirts of the box, but the forward fired his first-time strike well over the bar.
The Gas then had another chance soon after the break. Senior steamed down the right, playing a quick one-two with Thomas before flashing a low cross into the box, with the ball going just past the reach of Omochere, who slid across.
The Bluebirds gained some momentum after making three substitutions. Colwill tested Josh Griffiths with a low drive before they took the lead.
Tanner’s inswinging corner found McGuinness, who powered his header past the goalkeeper, with a covering defender unable to clear it off the line before going in.
Lindsay looked for an immediate equaliser, but his low rifled shot was saved by Jak Alnwick before Cardiff went close to doubling their advantage. Rinomhota was one-on-one with Griffiths on the right side of the box, but the shot-stopper got down well to push away his effort.
The Gas showed flashes of promise, with Kofi Shaw looking lively off the bench, but it was Cardiff who scored again. Evans burst down the left on the counter and curled a low cross towards Colwill, who netted in stoppage-time.
Cardiff City: Alnwick ©, McGuinness (Fagan-Walcott 77), Kanga (Reindorf 60), Robertson (Tanner 60), Bagan, King, Colwill, Rinomhota, Conte (Evans 60), Kpakio, Giles
Subs not used: Turner, Gbadehan, Lawlor.
Goals: McGuinness 68, Colwill 91
Booked: McGuinness 32
Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Senior, Mola (Bilongo 61), Sinclair © (Anthony 61), Omochere (Shaw 61), Thomas, Garrett, Taylor, McCormick (Sotiriou 77), Forbes, Lindsay (Conteh 77)
Subs not used: Hall, Moore, Wilson, Hutchinson, Shaw.
Booked: Anthony 77
Referee: Charles Breakspear
