A first-half header from Shannon Albuery was enough for Karl Watson’s side to go top of the FA Women’s National League Division One South West

Moneys go into the top of the table clash against Swindon Town on the 30th November, on 25 points, one above The Robins, who are now second on 24 points.

There were two changes to XI that progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA WNL Plate on penalties away at Maidenhead last Sunday.

Kiera Heslam and Skye-Louise Granger came in for Tierney Scott and Sophie Phelps, while Britt Jeal and Bekah Tonks came back into the squad on the bench.

It was almost a fast start for Moneys, when the returning Heslam came close to opening the score just under five minutes in, but the number two’s effort was cleared off the line by Rovers.

Dream Surin’s effort was saved, and then a rebounded shot from Beth Burgess went over the bar.

Meg Fox had a chance from a free-kick from 25 yards out, which the Rovers keeper spilled, but a yellow shirt was unable to tap the rebound home.

However, Moneys’ continued first-half pressure paid off when Surin’s ball over the top was met by the leap of Albuery, who headed the ball over Hunt to make it 1-0, 37 minutes gone.

Half-time: Bristol Rovers 0-1 Moneyfields 

The returning Britt Jeal was Moneys’ first sub of the afternoon, when she came on for Gemma Simmonds early in the second half.

Ali Hall was close to making it 2-0 when she connected with Heslam’s late cross into the penalty area, but the captain’s header went just over the bar.

Just past the hour mark, there was a second sub for Moneyfields, when Bekah Tonks replaced Meg Fox on the 66th minute.

Moneys kept hunting down for a second, and almost did via Jeal, but the substitute’s effort was tipped over the bar by Hunt and out for a corner.

Tierney Scott was the third sub of the day, as the attacker replaced Beth Burgess with just over ten minutes left on the clock.

That sub was then followed by Daisy Beard, who was on for Dream Surin, which pushed Heslam back to full back for the final moments of the game.

Hall and Jeal fought till the end in the left-hand corner as they pushed the Gas defence into a corner and stopped them from putting a ball up the field inside the additional four minutes of added time.

Full-time: Bristol Rovers 0-1 Moneyfields 

Bristol Rovers XI: Hunt (GK), Douglas ©, Hateley, Collis, Barrett, Bassett, Pemberton, Jarvis, Buxton, Turner, Scahill

Subs: Stowell (GK), Davies, Rees, Gould, Joyce

Manager: Nathan Hallett-Young

Moneys XI: Haughton (GK), Venditto, Granger, Howden, Surin (Beard 84′), Fox (Tonks 66′), Simmonds (Jeal 53′), Hall ©, Burgess (Scott 79′), Heslam, Albuery

Unused subs: King (GK)

Manager: Karl Watson

Venue: South West Interiors Stadium