PAUL Trollope was left with further food for thought ahead of the new season after watching his side continue their preparations with a goalless draw at Cheltenham Town last night.

Trollope continued to employ his new-look attacking triumvirate – but to little effect during an opening period where the League Two side carved out the better chances and were by far the more composed team.

A little tinkering by Trollope at the break saw Wayne Brown moved into a slightly more advanced position behind a front two of Will Hoskins and Jo Kuffour, which resulted in a far more balanced and encouraging display.

Skipper Stuart Campbell had been forced to miss out as a precaution after complaining of soreness. Defender James Tunnicliffe and midfielder Dominic Blizzard returned to the side after missing Saturday's friendly defeat against West Brom.

Mike Green once again deputised for on-loan goalkeeper Luke Daniels, who suffered a back injury at the weekend.

Former Rovers defender Steve Elliott had little to occupy his mind in an opening period which will have pleased Mark Yates more than it did Paul Trollope.

Cheltenham should have been a goal to the good four minutes in, as a scuffed shot from Wesley Thomas saw Rovers offered an early reprieve.

Cheltenham saw efforts from Goulding and Thomas fail to trouble Green before Rovers carved out their first meaningful opportunity.

The chance was created with a moment of clever play from Will Hoskins, who then slid an inch-perfect pass to Jeff Hughes on the left of the penalty area. Hughes pulled the trigger only for defender Martin Riley to make up the ground and block the effort.

Chris Lines shinned another effort high and wide before Hughes spurned a good chance to score with a glancing header from Gary Sawyer's cross.

Cheltenham quickly regained the upper hand; Bird firing a free-kick over the bar before Low saw a curling shot end in similar fashion.

Green then made a fantastic reflex save to repel a close-range volley from Thomas after Artus had swung over another penetrating cross.

Rovers almost benefited straight away from Trollope's half-time change. Hoskins provided a clever pass to free Lines on the touchline and he angled a ball across the six-yard box to offer Hughes the simplest of chances to convert. Cheltenham defender Keith Lowe was quick enough to nick the ball off Hughes' toe and hack it away, though.

Rovers' visible improvement forced Cheltenham back for the first time, but they had sporadic opportunities to win the game.

Full-back Danny Andrew was denied the opportunity to convert a Keith Low cross by a diving Chris Lines, while Green had to be alert to collect a Goulding header.

Rovers, however, almost got the goal their improvement deserved when a fine save from Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Brown denied Brown the chance to celebrate a goal with his head from a Jo Kuffour cross.