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A sunny, warm but breezy afternoon was the setting for the penultimate game of the League season, which is also the last home game, against relegated Luton Town.  As I am sure everyone is acquainted with the various permutations in regard to the Rovers position for promotion, all subject to the result of the Leeds United appeal, suffice it to say that a win today is all that matters, the rest takes care of itself. The Rovers make one change to the starting line-up, Sam Hird coming in for the injured Steve Roberts. The dislocated kneecap that Sean McDaid suffered earlier in the week means a place on the bench for Graeme Lee after his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town. The Rovers defended the South Stand end in the first half.

The Rovers got the game going and immediately went on the attack. In the second minute, a good break down the Rovers right initiated by O'Connor, to Coppinger, to O'connor, to Green, who hit a low ball across the face of goal to the far post where the onrushing McCammon just failed to connect. On 5 minutes, a corner from Stock, on the Rovers right, was met by Mills on the six yards line at the near post but his side-foot was brilliantly palmed over the bar. This corner was met with a header at he far post but again Brill was there to make a diving save and push round the post. The third corner was cleared. Continuing to push on, Coppinger then crashed in a 20 yarder and yet again Brill dived to his left to push the ball out to O'Connor, on the Rovers right but he blasted high and wide. Next, a neat 1-2 between Gareth Roberts and Coppinger put Roberts in on goal but his fierce drive from inside the area was saved well by the diving keeper. On 14 minutes, Wellens chipped into the Luton penalty area for Coppinger to volley on the turn but over the bar. Two minutes later, the rovers were awared a free kick on their left inside the Luton half. Stock swung the ball over to the right for Green to head into the middle where McCammon challenged for it with Brill. The ball dropped for Hird on the six yards line but his shot was blocked and cleared off the line by a defender. With 20 minutes gone, a long ball over the Luton back line was picked up by Taylor on the Rovers left. He took it on, the keeper came out narrowing the angle and beat Taylor's shot away. The Rovers were in total command but it was 34 minutes before they won a corner on their right, which McCammon headed down, Brill beat it out but MILLS was there to slot in for the opening goal. Four minutes later, the visitors launched their first effort on the Rovers goal but it landed on the top of the net. Luton came into the game more as time ran down to the break but when the interval arrived Sullivan hadn't had a save to make.

The second half opened at a sedate pace, with Luton enjoying their fair share of the play. The Rovers had to make a change after 5 minutes when Stock injured his leg in a full blooded tackle, elliott replacing him.Three minutes later and the Rovers won a corner on their right. Green took it short to O'Connor, back to Green, a 1-2 with Coppinger but Green fired into the sidenet. Minutes later, another corner ended with Wellens lifting back into the middle for Mills to head over the bar. On the hour, in Luton's best attack yet, Spring fired over from 20 yards. Straight down to the Luton end and a cross from the Rovers left was headed on goal by McCammon was pulled back by Brill from behind him and cleared. Two minutes on and Sullivan was out of his goal to punch the ball off the top of Parkin's head. After 65 minutes Luton won their first corner of the game but it was cleared. Some minutes later and a free kick from the Rovers right touchline was headed by McCammon into Brill's hands. At the Rovers end a cracker from Currie from 15 yards was deflected for a corner. On 77 minutes, Spring ended a Luton attack with a tremendous low drive but Sullivan was there to smother it. Ten minutes from time, Elliott received on the halfway line, ran on and from 30 yards chipped over Brill but it also just went over the bar. a minute later, however, another free kick from the right touchline by Gareth Roberts was headed into the top corner by McCAMMON. Luton had given it a go in the second half and made a match of it but the Rovers were never likely to lose control of the game. The match thus ended in favour of the Rovers by two clear goals to put them into second place behind Swansea City.

Teams - ROVERS - Neil Sullivan; James O'Connor, Sam Hird, Matt Mills, Gareth Roberts; James Coppinger, Paul Green, Brian Stock, Richie Wellens; Gareth Taylor, Mark McCammon

Subs used - Stuart Elliott for Stock 50 mins; Jason Price for Taylor 70mins; Graeme Lee for McCammon 85 mins.

Subs not used - Lewis Guy, Paul Heffernan,

Luton Town - Dean Brill; Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Lewis Emanuel, Matthew Spring, Steve O'Leary; Don Hutchison, Darren Currie, Paul McVeigh; Keith Keane, Sol Davies, Sam Parkin

Subs used - Steve Robinson for McVeigh 46 mins; Calvin Andrew for Davies 73mins;

Subs not used - Richard Jackson, Richard Langley, Marlon Beresford gk

Cautions - Spring,