Wrexham setback is just a footnote in one of Bristol Rovers’ greatest ever seasons | OneFootball

A history making season for Bristol Rovers wouldn't be without a hitch when they came up against Wrexham

It was one of Bristol Rovers' most memorable seasons - full of record-breaking milestones and history-making achievements. The year an iconic partnership became known from coast to coast, and the year the Gas would get one over on one of the most legendary managers ever to grace the English game.

The 1973/74 season began with Bristol Rovers back in their distinctive blue and white quarters for the first time in more than a decade, and victory on the south coast. Rovers came away as 3–0 victors against an average Bournemouth side who finished that season in mid-table. From then on, or at least for the next six months, the Gas didn't look back. The then Eastville Stadium outfit would go on an extraordinary run to remain undefeated for what became their longest unbeaten run in history.

A famous year for Bristol Rovers

It would be a run that stretched 27 matches (32 when you include the final five games of the previous season), conceding only five times in the first 16 games of the 73/74 season, including in a 1-1 draw against a strong Grimsby Town side who would finish just ten points behind Rovers.

In a famous year for the club, Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister became known nationwide as “Smash and Grab”. The two attackers would score 40 goals between them that season – including on December 1st 1973 against the iconic Brian Clough’s Brighton side, where the two got seven of the eight goals in an 8-2 victory that would be shown on national TV the next day. A feat less common in the days before widespread TV coverage.

A Westcountry derby would follow later that month as the Gas entertained Plymouth Argyle at Eastville on Boxing Day, beating the Pilgrims 4-2, with Warboys scoring twice in front of Rovers' highest attendance of the season to that point. It would be here that the Gas would equal their previous unbeaten overall record of 27, which came during their championship-winning season of 1952/53.

Aldershot thriller before Arfon Griffiths and Wrexham end Bristol Rovers streak

The Gas would stretch that run out by a further five matches, starting with three draws in a row, including against Charlton and Halifax Town, and a repeat of the 1-1 versus Grimsby. Two more victories would then follow, first against Bournemouth (3-0 again) and finally a thrilling 3-2 victory against an Aldershot side who had lost only one of their last 12 matches in the run-up.

It was a streak that had to come to an end eventually, however, and it would be ended on February 2nd 1974 by Wrexham icon Arfon Griffiths. The former Red Dragons player and manager would break the season-long 27-match streak with his solitary goal early in the second half. Wrexham, who themselves were having a strong season, would be able to resist a Rovers reply.

The overall 32- match unbeaten streak, stretching two seasons, remains to this day. With 27 remaining as the joint highest in one season.

The defeat would be softened, however, as by the time of the Wrexham loss Bristol Rovers had already opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the Division Three table.

Despite losing momentum Bristol Rovers achieved promotion with a game to spare

Though they achieved promotion with a game to spare, Rovers would lose steam towards the end of the campaign but would still be in with a shout of clinching the title when it came to the final game of the season. It would be a tight finish as Oldham Athletic were crowned eventual champions by a single point, with Rovers in second ahead of York City in third by way of goal average. All three won promotion.

In his programme notes ahead of the final game of that incredible season, Bristol Rovers manager at the time, Don Megson, spoke of the grueling struggle to achieve their goal. He said: "It’s been a wonderful struggle and, particularly since Christmas, a very grueling one, but we have clinched promotion and that’s what we wanted to do."

It would be a remarkable and memorable season on many fronts for all associated with the Gas, ultimately leaving that defeat to Wrexham in February as a mere footnote in one of Bristol Rovers' greatest ever seasons.