On 16 September 2008 Rovers travelled the short distance north to play away to Cheltenham Town. It was the seventh League One game of the season for Rovers, and they had won only one of these. They had also been knocked out of both the Carling Cup and Johnstone's Paints Trophy at the first round stage. In the match Rovers found themselves 2-0 down after half an hour, thanks to a pair of goals by Barry Hayles. Although Rovers pulled a goal back shortly after the break through Rickie Lambert, it wasn't enough for the Pirates to take anything from the game.