[Archived] News Article -> 2012/13 Full-Time: Rovers 1 Watford 0

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Rovers controlled possession for the majority of the match, but were unable to break down a resolute Watford side until second-half injury time. Rhodes' late winner will no doubt have relieved Kazim-Richards, who had missed a penalty earlier in the second half.

The first half was a very flat affair, with neither side committing many forward and chances were few and far between. Rovers looked comfortable defensively and in midfield, but lacked the creativity and drive that Dunn had brought to the opening half hour in the midweek match against Sheffield Wednesday. Neither keeper was forced into a difficult save, although Rovers had a decent shout for a penalty when it appeared that Kazim-Richards was held back.

The second half began in similarly dull fashion, with Rovers once again controlling the ball, but failing to do much with it. Then, with a quarter of an hour left, the home side were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Rhodes' shot hit the arm of Hoban and the referee did not hesitate when pointing to the spot. Rhodes picked up the ball, but Kazim-Richards took it off him and then proceeded to slip as he fired the penalty against the bar. There will no doubt be a great deal of debate about the decision to let Kazim-Richards take the spot-kick and the fact that Rovers seem to be without a designated penalty-taker.

The penalty miss appeared to knock Rovers out of their stride, but they did manage to apply pressure as the match drew to the close but were dealt another blow when Jason Lowe appeared to pull his hamstring with only minutes remaining. It appeared as though the match was going to end in a draw, but in the second minute of added time Jordan Rhodes produced a piece of quality to control Pedersen's deflected shot and fire past Almunia.

The win is Rovers' second on the bounce and sees them stay fifth in the table, 5 points behind league-leaders Cardiff. Supporters will hope that Rovers will have appointed a new manager by the time the side make the trip down for the match at Crystal Palace next Saturday.

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