Rovers went into this game on the back of a 2-0 win over Wantage on Saturday, and were looking to make it a perfect Bank Holiday weekend with the visit of St Neots Town.
Scott Dash made tgree changes to the starting line up, Caleb Steele and Jaiden Irish coming in for Jake Davis and Marley Hamilton, as well as a forced change during the warm up as Aaron Dada replaced Harvey Laws.
St Neots were fast out the blocks, forcing Carl Knox into a number of saves early on. Rovers eventually found their feet, Dan Naylor and Charlie Hayford with shots but yet to test the keeper.
Into the second half and the Saints continued their pressure, and it eventually paid off as Joe Rider got his first following a pass from strike partner Neo Richard-Noel.
The goal woke Rovers up, and had a good couple of opportunities to equalise. Christopher Manangu was put through however delayed his left footed shot too long, giving time for the St Neots defenders to recover.
A few minutes later substitute Jake Davis put in a low cross to find Emmanuel Dahie, but his shot found the side-netting from close range.
The missed chances proved costly as St Neots and Rider doubled their tally. Rovers lost possession cheaply into the middle of the park, and the striker drifted out wide to put himself through on goal to fire across Knox.
The hat-trick was completed from the penalty spot in stoppage time following a tangle of legs, Knox guessing correctly but the penalty was well placed.
Rovers drop to 14th and are not in action until the 11th September where we travel to 5th placed AFC Dunstable.