Stockport County 0, Bristol Rovers 2

Bristol Rovers made a flying start to their away campaign as Jo Kuffour and Danny Coles struck inside the opening eight minutes to seal victory at Edgeley Park.

Kuffour was gifted probably the easiest goal he will score all season after an embarrassing mix-up in the Stockport defence with less than three minutes on the clock.

Michael Raynes tried to head the ball back to his keeper Owain Fon Williams, but only succeeded in nodding it over the advancing Welshman and Kuffour was able to roll the ball into an unguarded net from close range.

Rovers had further chances to score against the relegation favourites before Danny Coles rose to head into the top corner from a Stuart Campbell corner five minutes later.

A rout looked on the cards in the early stages, although Stockport – who have been unable to strengthen over the summer as the club remains in administration – gradually started to settle.

But they were still unable to make much impression against a Rovers side who looked in much better form than they had in their opening-day defeat against Leyton Orient.

Coles could have added his second moments before the interval after another corner, but this time saw his shot crash against a post.

Rovers made two changes to the side that had started their midweek Carling Cup win over Aldershot.

Coles returned in central defence as Carl Regan reverted to his favoured right-back role with Sean Rigg dropping to the bench.

And loan signing Fraser Forster regained the goalkeeping slot with Steve Phillips among the substitutes.

The woodwork denied Rovers again early in the second half when Kuffour fired against the inside of a post after being set up by Darryl Duffy.

Then Stockport had their first real spell of pressure and Carl Baker fired narrowly wide after being put through by Peter Thompson.

David Pipe fired across the face of goal as Rovers looked to increase their lead and the Pirates saw the game out without any undue alarms to bank their first three points of the campaign.

Stockport County: Williams, Mullins, Rose, Turnbull, Raynes, Tansey, Thompson (Edwards 76), Baker, Johnson (Pilkington 63), Poole, Havern. Subs: Vincent, Gerrard, Griffin, Halls, Roberts.

Bristol Rovers: Forster, Regan, Anthony, Coles, Lescott, Pipe, Campbell, Lines, Hughes, Kuffour, Duffy (Hunt 80). Subs: Phillips, Blizzard, Reece, Swallow, Rigg, Williams.

Attendance: 4,084.