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Day: 11/30
Season: 2013/14
Fixture: Sheffield Wednesday 3-3 Rovers (12/4/14)
Highlights
Why Chosen
The 2013/14 season deserves a deep dive. It’s easy to look back and see both positives and negatives in what was a real up and down campaign. When Rovers looked out of contention, they seemed to rally. When they looked set for the playoffs, they seemed to manage to lose or draw. No more evident than at Hillsborough. A surging Rovers ended up just two points from 6th by the season's end, but performances like this one in South Yorkshire proved why they deserved to miss out.
The 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster saw 96 roses behind the goal at the Leppings Lane End, whilst on the pitch Rhodes, Conway and future Everton and England defender Michael Keane sent the Rovers fans into raptures. Cue the collapse!
Aftermath
Rovers would follow the performance with the home 0-0 stinker against Yeovil to all but seal their fate in the promotion chase. Three wins to close out the season made things interesting, but Rovers had too much to do with too few games remaining. Late goals Rovers’ Achilles heel all season long. Rovers lost 8 points due to goals conceded in the 85th minute or later.
Honourable Mentions
Rovers 1-2 Burnley (9/3/14) – The long unbeaten run against The Clarets comes to an end at Ewood. Rovers haven’t beaten Burnley since.
Rovers 0-0 Yeovil Town (18/4/14) – Rovers followed up the late disappointment at Hillsborough with a turgid performance at home to The Glovers.
Birmingham City 2-4 Rovers (21/4/14) – A hat-trick of headers for Rudy Gestede away at St Andrews.