Rain and wind made a very cold afternoon at Boundary Park, where the Rovers were to play Oldham Athletic in the 1st Round of the F.A.Cup. The Rovers made four changes from Tuesday night's game at Gillingham. Gordon Greer, Paul Green, Martin Woods and James Coppinger came in for Matt Mills, Mark Wilson, Sean McDaid and Lewis Guy. The rain eased up before the start of the game. Marlon Beresford, the original choice for the goalkeeping position, was injured in the warm-up and was replaced by Mark Crossley, the former Nottingham Forest keeper. Josh Bell, a young keeper took his place on the bench. Also injured in nthe warm-up was Andy Liddell, who was replaced by Deane Smalley, Lewis Alessandra taking a place on the subs bench.A minutes silence for Remembrance Day was perfectly observed before the start.

The Rovers defended the end where their fans were seated but faced the wind and rain. The home team started brightly, winning a corner after 4 minutes, which was headed over the bar by Stam. Two minutes later, Coppinger, for the Rovers, got to the right byline and crossed to the far post for Woods to slam a shot on target but the ball was blocked on the line by an Oldham defender. Oldham came again and first Allott had a 20 yards fierce drive saved by Sullivan, who also saved from Hughes minutes later. On 13 minutes, the home team had a good chance to score when Davies, under challenge by Lockwood, headed goalwards. Sullivan dived to get a hand to it and Greer completed the clearance before any home player could get to the ball. The Rovers then forced a corner but the ball was cleared. Davies on the left, for Oldham, mcrossed for Hughes to head wide from a good position. Woods, for the Rovers then hit a speculative shot from 30 yards over the bar. The home side were having the better of the play at this stage but on 26 minutes, the Rovers had a two on one situation when a long clearance out of defence found Coppinger, with Hayter to his right. Coppinger took it on before releasing to Hayter, who turned inside but his weak left foot shot was easily handled by Crossley. Back came Oldham and a prolonged melee in the Rovers penalty area ensued before Green came away with the ball and cleared. On the half hour, the home team won a corner on their left that was put out for a corner on their right. This time the cross was met by TROTMAN with a fierce header into the net to give the home team the lead after 31 minutes. The home team continued to have the better of the play to the break but play was mainly confined to midfield, with Oldham getting a couple of corners just before the whistle blew for the interval.

The Rovers came out for the second half and immediately won a free kick 20 yards out. Woods put in a terrific drive straight at Crossley who pushed it over the bar for a corner. Then, on 49 minutes, DAVIES, for the home team, was put away down their left, cut in past a couple of defenders and curled the ball past Sullivan from just inside the penalty area. The Rovers tried hard to get their game going but weren't having much joy at this stage. Then just before the hour they began to put pressure on the home team. It paid off on 63 minutes, when a cross from the right was only partially cleared straight to HAYTER, about 12 yards out and a thunderous drive gave Crossley no chance. Following a corner two minutes later, Wellens had a shot saved. It now developed into a full blooded cup-tie as both sides went for goal, the Rovers to equalise and Oldham to wrap it up. On 81 minutes, Woods to Green, to Guy, who scored but the lineman had his flag up for offside. A few minutes on and a cross from the right by Eardley was headed just over the bar by McDonald. Back came the Rovers and after 86 minutes Gareth Roberts lifted a ball to Wellens, who got to the left byline before slipping the ball back to HAYTER, who rifled into the roof of the net from about 10 yards. The Rovers were now on a roll and had all the play to the final whistle. A draw was the result and a replay at the Keepmoat Stadium on the 27th November - a week later than usual, due to Oldham players' international commitments.

Teams - Oldham Athletic - Mark Crossley; Neal Eardley, Neal Trotman, Stefan Stam, Chris Taylor, Gary McDonald, Deane Smalley, Mark Allott, Neil Kilkenny, Lee Hughes, Craig Davies

Subs used - Lewis Alessandra for Hughes 82 mins;

Subs not used - JP Kalala, Paul Black, Aaron Chambers, Josh Bell (GK)

Cautions - Eardley,

ROVERS - Neil Sullivan; James O'Connor, Gordon Greer, Adam Lockwood, Gareth Roberts; Paul Green, Richie Wellens, Brian Stock, Martin Woods; James Coppinger, James Hayter

Subs used - Jason Price for Coppinger 46 mins; Lewis Guy for Lockwood 75 mins; Steve Roberts for Gareth Roberts 87 mins;

Subs not used - Mark Wilson, Ben Smith (GK)

Cautions - Stock,