The Steve Smith column

Bristol Rovers were defending a 100 per cent home record as November 1978 approached, but it was halted in dramatic fashion with a thriller against Charlton Athletic.

Prior to the visit of Newcastle United on November 4, the Pirates had scored 17 goals at home in their opening six Division Two matches.

A double strike from Paul Randall ensured the Magpies' second visit to Eastville in the league ended in defeat.

A game at Fulham was also lost before the arrival of Charlton on November 18 drew a crowd of 8,107.

Charlton's Dick Tydeman put the visitors ahead but two goals from Randall gave the home side the lead.

Martyn Robinson and Mick Flanagan (two) struck for Charlton as the game continued to flow from end to end.

Another Rovers fightback began with David Williams' long range effort, beating Jeff Wood, after 56 minutes.

Moments later Robinson scored a stunning individual goal for Charlton before Wood fumbled a Peter Aitken free-kick, enabling Randall to fire home from close range and complete his first hat-trick for the Gas.

Williams, ever-present during the 1978-79 season, converted a controversial penalty on 68 minutes to make it 5-5.

The following home match, against Sheffield United, was a little more subdued as former Blades forward David Staniforth and Randall helped Rovers back to winning ways at home with a 2-1 win.

Rovers would end the season in 16th place.

As Rovers were enjoying life towards the top half of Division Two, City could feel mighty pleased that as they entered November, the possibility of a top-10 finish in Division One was more than a dream.

Buoyed by the 3-0 win at Manchester United, the Robins were held to a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough on November 4.

Bolton Wanderers were thumped 4-1 at Ashton Gate, much to the joy of Joe Royle, the former Everton and Manchester City striker.

Almost a year since his four-goal debut against Middlesbrough, the £90,000 striker was finding it hard to hit the back of the net.

A 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa saw Royle receive a red card late in the game.

Wolves' visit to Ashton Gate ended in defeat, courtesy of a goal by Steve Daley and the month ended with a point at Birmingham City, as Kevin Mabbutt's first-half strike was cancelled out by Argentine World Cup winner Alberto Tarantini, who netted the only goal of his short stint in English football.

City were now 13th, a position they held on to until the end of the campaign to record their highest finish since 1907.