James Constable lined-up for Oxford United at the Memorial Stadium as expected – and now looks unlikely to sign for Bristol Rovers at all.
Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has this afternoon confirmed that the pursuit of long-term transfer target Constable is now over after a third bid for the marksman was turned down on Friday.
It was another player, however, that scored the opening goal that has helped to see Oxford lead Rovers at the midway point of this afternoon's clash between the two sides.
That goal came in the 21st minute when midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey picked up the ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area and turned in on his left foot before delivering a delicious strike into the top corner of the net.
Wingman Alfie Potter doubled the advantage with an impressive solo effort when skipping unchallenged off the left touchline and into the penalty area before firing a low shot past helpless goalkeeper Sam Walker in the 32nd minute.
Rovers, meanwhile, had an effort ruled out in the 16th minute after Adam Virgo was ruled offside when heading Matt Gill's floated free-kick delivery back across goal for Joe Anyinsah to nod home from close-range.
Manager Mark McGhee had made only one change from the side that lost 3-1 in the Capital One Cup first round at Ipswich Town on Tuesday night. Matthew Lund, who has been troubled by an Achilles' problem throughout pre-season, was considered fit enough to start alongside skipper Matt Gill in midfield.
Oliver Norburn dropped to the bench alongside Garry Kenneth, who has been suffering with a hamstring complaint since the start of the month. Fabian Broghammer was also amongst the substitutes after receiving international clearance, whilst Eliot Richards returned from Wales Under-21 international duty.
Rovers: Walker; Smith, Virgo, Paterson, L Brown, W Brown, Gill, Lund, Anyinsah, Harrold, Clarkson. Subs: Gough, Kenneth, Richards, Broghammer, Norburn, Clarke, Clucas.
Oxford United: Clarke, Batt, Raynes, Wright, Capaldi, Chapman, Rigg, Forster-Caskey, Cox, Potter, Constable. Subs: Brown, McGinty, Heslop, Smalley, Pittman, Evans, Craddock.
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