CARLOS Villanueva went agonisingly close to giving Rovers a 1-0 half-time lead as the sides went into the break goalless at the Reebok.

The Chilean, who had been quiet for most of the half, burst into life to see a 20-yard strike brush the top of the cross bar on 38 minutes.

Jason Roberts was guilty of a horrendous miss late on when he headed Brett Emerton's cross wide from just yards out.

With local pride up for stake the game started in a typically cagey fashion, with strong tackles the order of the day.

It took 18 minutes for either keeper to be tested, with Paul Robinson tipping Matt Taylor's deep inswinging free kick wide after it had deceived everyone.

From the ensuing corner the unmarked Andy O'Brien headed wide before Taylor woefully volleyed wide after being put clear by Kevin Nolan.

A resolute Rovers were struggling to create many chances themselves although Brett Emerton's dangerous cross on 33 minutes was almost headed into his own net by Matt Taylor.

Rovers' Australian then blazed over the bar from a tight angle after Villanueva's right-wing free-kick had caused problems in the hosts' box.