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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
David Byrom

Bristol Rovers aim sly dig at controversial former striker Stefan Payne after win over Tranmere Rovers

Bristol Rovers fans were in celebratory mood last night after seeing their side record their first league win of the season.

Rovers overcame Tranmere Rovers 2-0 thanks to goals from Jonson Clarke-Harris and Tyler Smith.

There was an added sweetness in the victory for Rovers, with controversial former Gas striker Stefan Payne on the bench for Tranmere.

Payne was at Rovers last season but made 27 appearances and scored just three goals before being shipped out on loan to Shrewsbury Town in January.

He also landed himself in hot water by being fined for making a rude gesture at fans and going AWOL following a virus.

A fairly pointed Tweet from Payne after he joined Tranmere also upset Rovers fans, with the striker saying he was looking forward to playing in front of a 'proper fan base'.

It meant that not many tears were shed by Rovers fans when he left the club to join Tranmere over the summer, and there was a certain delight in seeing Payne fail to take to the pitch in his new side's losing cause.

Post-match, Rovers' official twitter account even posted what can be perceived as a sly dig at the striker.

Clarke-Harris is obviously Rovers' star man and the difference in the club's form after he joined the club and Payne left last season was stark.

The striker also does give 100 per cent every game - he is a non-stop ball of energy across the 90 minutes.

Yet Rovers fans who took delight in the Tweet also picked up on the subtle context involving Payne.

After arriving at the Gas, Payne labelled himself "Mr 50/50", a name that still is yet to be fully explained.

Rovers fans on Twitter were pleased to see the subtle shade being thrown at Payne.

Sam Cope: Rovers media has had a beer and I love it.

Mitch Taylor: Not 50-50?

Toby: Stefan Payne goodnight.

Owen Collins: This is one of the greatest things I have ever seen.

Charlotte Churchill: This media team is just brilliant.

Nathan Sours: Someone do a tweet with Payne being upgraded to JCH.

Daryl Parsons: Top bantz.

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