Report by Jools Thomas

The only thing which separated the two sides was the more clinical finishing of the visitors and ultimately this won the tie for Barton.

Elliot Bailey had the first shot in anger of the game and this produced a fairly routine save for Ashley Jenkins in the FC goal. Barton however were much more efficient in the next move of the game and a firm strike from just outside the box by Jack Keating gave Jenkins no chance at all and the visitors the lead.
In response Josh Bamford played in Rob Tomlin and the young midfielder hit his shot over the bar. Tomlin saw another long range effort clear the goal before Jamie West fired in a useful low shot that Rovers keeper Dominic Rogero did well to hold. Jamie McAteer's powerful strike was then blocked and Ben Bateman's instep shot also found a defender's leg in the way.

As West's free kick skimmed agonisingly wide of the post, it appeared that FC's pressure really could pay off but it was at the other end where the next piece of action occurred. Elliot Bailey had a fine game and his low toe poke was saved well by an on-rushing Jenkins. Byron Bubb could have made it two to Rovers with a shot against the keeper and the rebound being cleared from the line.

Bailey fired in a shot which was in truth a bread and butter save for Jenkins but the next Rovers effort was unstoppable. A corner sailed out to Michael Malcolm and he volleyed the ball with terrific power into the FC net for 2-0.

FC were out of the 2nd half blocks very quickly. Alex O'Brien's thunderbolt hit the bar before bouncing away but lady luck was not too far away for FC. The energetic Ben Bateman pounced on a mix up in the away defence and with keeper and defenders stranded, the young playmaker had only to tap the ball into an empty net.
FC sensed an equaliser and pushed forward. On 61 minutes, Josh Bamford powered in from the left and with a beautiful sweep of the right boot, he sailed a shot past the keeper and into the net. It was just what FC had deserved for their second half effort.

It's said a team is always at its most vulnerable after scoring and so it proved when just a minute later, Charlie Smith sent in a low shot for goal. It may have taken a deflection from an FC boot on the way in but there was no doubt, a lack of concentration was partly to blame for the goal.

Rovers' David Corren hit a tremendous long range effort from the left which breezed off the far post with Jenkins well beaten and with the clock ticking down, fans' favourite Dave Carty had to lean back a little too far to meet a header and this allowed the away keeper to gather. Another header this time from Alex O'Brien flew over the bar in the last minute and with that was FC's last chance of taking the game to a penalty shootout.