New boss John Ward suffered the first defeat of his second spell as Rovers' manager, in what was his third game since coming back. The injury crisis being suffered by The Gas at this point was worsened when Garry Kenneth suffered serious knee ligament damage, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Northern Irish defender Mark McChrystal made his first appearance in a Bristol Rovers side, while former Rovers man Adam Barrett captained the Gillingham team.