An impressively obdurate Stevenage side made it three victories in the opening week of the season, after a 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

Former Gas striker Chris Lines grabbed an 87th minute goal, prior to Luke Norris clinching a hard-fought triumph in time added on, as Alex Revell's side continued their unbeaten start to the season on a warm afternoon in the West Country.

Boss Revell made a single change from the stirring spot-kick victory over near-neighbours Luton Town in the Carabao Cup in midweek, with matchwinner Lines coming in for Charlie Carver.

Prior to kick-off the teams lined the centre circle for an extremely moving minute's applause at an atmospheric Memorial Ground for those who sadly lost their lives during the pandemic, including a poignant video honouring the many, many victims.

With fans returning to the Memorial Ground for the first time since coronavirus first took hold back in March 2020, Rovers' anthemic 'Goodnight Irene' raucously rang out.

Rovers, led by controversial boss Joey Barton, put the visitors under pressure in the early stages, but the Boro backline were equal to the task.

Elliot List could have opened the scoring after his glancing header flew just wide, after good work from the excellent Luther James Wildin early on.

The home side's best chance in the opening half came when when Boro's Terence Vancooten fired an attempted clearance towards his own goal.

However the talented defender had his blushes saved when goalkeeper Joseph Anang was alert to the unexpected danger to save 10 minutes before the interval.

After the interval Reeves narrowly angled a drive wide after being fed by Lines, while at the other end Mark Hughes headed a Luke Thomas free-kick straight at Anang.

Lines was praised by Boro boss Revell after the game, telling Nub News the striker 'was a class act who deserved his goal.'

In a mark of respect to his former club, Lines declined to celebrate his goal after firing home Ben Coker's cross in the 88th-minute.

The home fans in a crowd of 7,071 appreciated the gesture and applauded their former attacker who gave the club 11 years loyal service across two spells.

The points were sealed to send Boro into second place in League Two when Reeves broke to send substitute Norris through to emphatically double the lead to delight the 178 Boro fans in the crowd.

Barton fielded six new summer signings but had to endure his Rovers side departing with loud jeers ringing in his ear from disgruntled supporters.