Tom Hitchcock proved the second half difference between the two sides as his brace over came Jake Newman’s opener for Rovers and sent the visitors home with all three points.

A scrappy opening half was lightly peppered with half chances as the two sides looked to get the measure of one another, as though two heavyweight pugilists circling daring the other to make the first move. It was the visitors that nearly landed the first punch inside ten minutes. Connor Tomlinson saw a snap volley come back off a teammate on its way to goal. Nathan Olukanmi whipped a cross toward the near post on the quarter hour which required Carl Knox in the Kempston goal to be alert to tip it away. Rovers clearest sight at landing a blow came just before the half hour when James Sage, formerly of Bedford Town swiped at a loose ball from a poorly cleared corner. His effort was snatched at and lacked the necessary accuracy to worry Dillion in the Town goal. The energetic Connor Tomlinson tested Knox’ reflexes with a long shot after a clever jink and run from the middle of the park. As the bell rang, both sides retreated back to their corners. No blows landed in round one.

Ten minutes into the second period, Rovers ripped the side netting. A corner whipped in deep by Finaly Brennan was nodded back across by James Sage, Robbie Goodman was on the corner of the six yard box and attempted to flick the ball back from whence it came but could only divert it wide in the second half’s first real opening. Town didn’t heed the warning as Rovers took the lead moments before the hour mark. A free kick midway in the Town half was pumped long and not fully cleared, Stefan Bailey managed to nod on in the direction of Jake Newman. The forward brought the ball down and slipped it beyond Dillon to open the scoring for the home side. The lead could’ve been short lived, however as Bedford got straight back up off the canvas and nearly levelled two minutes later as Tomlinson broke clear of the Rovers back line and was thwarted by Carl Knox in the area as he tried to round the dependable keeper. Midway through the half came the turning point. A Bedford Town shot was saved at the near post, but spilt. In the ensuing chaos, the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. Tom Hitchcock emphatically dispatched the spot kick to level matters. In an attempt to retrieve the ball, Hitchcock became involved with Knox in the goalmouth, leading to some actual blows in the melee that ensued. The match official chose to tell everyone to calm down and put their handbags away on this occasion. Ten minutes from time and Bedford managed to deliver the knock out punch. A right wing corner was swung in and met at the near post by Hitchcock to score what proved to be the winning goal. A strike that makes him top scorer at Town since joining. Bedford held firm, despite some late Rovers pressure, and secured the bragging rights in this local derby.

Rovers, bloodied but not broken, now need to pick themselves up to face another of the league’s heavy weights next weekend with a trip to leaders Corby Town. Bedford, meanwhile, have nudged their way into the play off scene with the win and will look to keep their promotion aspirations going with their next match away at Bedworth.