KATIE Anderton provided the inspiration for a gutsy fightback as Rovers Ladies overturned a two-goal deficit to claim a hard-earned point against Bristol Academy.

Adam Lakeland’s team appeared to be sliding towards another home defeat in the league when the visitors raced into an early lead thanks to a quick-fire double from Shelley Cox and Emma Plewa.

However, the sharp-shooting Anderton clearly had other ideas and she promptly masterminded an impressive recovery, scoring twice to take her personal tally for the season into double figures.

With six first-teamers unavailable due to illness and injuries, Lakeland was forced to hand debuts to Katie Chattell and Hannah Pailing, the two 18-year-olds taking their places in a re-vamped Rovers line-up.

With so many changes, it was hardly surprising Rovers took a while to get organised and Bristol took full advantage, surging into a 2-0 lead inside 17 minutes.

However, Rovers refused to let their heads drop and the irrepressible Anderton reduced the arrears midway after good work by Karen Hanson and Lynda Shepherd.

Rovers’ top-scorer then grabbed her 10th goal of the season shortly after the break to earn her team a deserved share of the spoils.

Chantelle Parry split the Bristol defence and Anderton skilfully rounded the keeper before stroking home to complete an excellent comeback.

Rovers: Parker, Harding, McCoy, Twohig, Chattell, Pailing (McDougall, 65), Shepherd, Campbell, Parry, Anderton, Hanson. Subs not used: Forster, Ashworth, Lynch, Norris