ROVERS suffered a slender defeat at the hands of Arminia Bielefeld in sweltering conditions in Germany this evening.

With temperatures in the high thirties, Rovers started brightly in Heimstetten, taking a third minute lead through Andre Ooijer, but the Bundesliga side levelled on the half hour and then added a second midway through the second period.

It was a tough going in the hot conditions, but with similar temperatures expected next weekend in Lithuanian, it could prove to be the perfect preparation for Mark Hughes' squad.

Rovers couldn't have asked for a better start, just three minutes were on the clock when they took the lead. David Bentley floated a free-kick into the area and Andre Ooijer rose unmarked to head home.

The lead was very nearly doubled some four minutes later when after a Pedersen free kick had been cleared, the Norwegian arrived on the right flank to deliver the ball to the back post, Aaron Mokoena leapt high to head the ball down but Bielefeld goalkeeper Mathias Hain made a smart save low down at his near post.

But it wasn't all one way traffic early on as the Bundesliga side had their share of the chances. On nine minutes Masmanidis forced Friedel into make a save with Pedersen clearing the danger.

At the other end Tugay very nearly scored with a trademark shot volley when teed up from a David Bentley corner kick, the former Turkish international struck the ball sweetly but was disappointed to see the ball flash inches past the post.

But Rovers were dealt a blow on 18 minutes when Stephen Warnock came off as a precaution feeling his hamstring. Bruno Berner was introduced early into the action.

Rovers fans fly the flag

Just past the half hour Bielefeld drew level, Wichniaerk looked suspiciously offside on the right side of midfield catching the Rovers defence out and his low cross was driven home by Christian Eigler.

But for the skills of Brad Friedel Bielefeld would have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time, midfielder Jorg Bohme let fly from the edge of the area, but the giant American pulled off a similar save to the one towards the end of the game against Wrexham, diving to his left to push the ball around the post.

Robbie Savage was introduced at the start of the second half and he wasted no time in getting stuck into the action, however the Welshman was a little over enthusiastic and picked up a yellow card within sixty seconds.

Rovers went close to re-establishing their lead on fifty minutes, more slick passing saw the ball played through to Jason Roberts, but whilst his effort beat the goalkeeper, it crashed back off the foot of the post, McCarthy's effort on the rebound was thwarted by Hain in the Bielefeld goal.

From the resulting corner kick from Bentley, Ryan Nelsen rose opposed but saw his looping header bounce off the top of the crossbar and behind for a goalkick.

But just before the hour mark the German side took the lead, Bohme caught the Rovers defence unawares and lobbed the ball over the advancing Brad Friedel and into the corner of the net.

For the remaining thirty minutes Mark Hughes took the opportunity to shuffle his pack with Matt Derbyshire getting his first taste of pre-season action after missing the match against Wrexham due to a foot injury.

David Dunn featured for the last thirty minutes and very nearly brought Rovers level, on 77 minutes he clipped an effort from the corner of the area off the crossbar, and with mere seconds remaining on the clock saw the ball nestle in the back of the net only to see the linesman's flag raise high.

Rovers will remain in Germany until Wednesday before returning to the UK to continue their preparations ahead of next weekend's Intertoto trip to Vilnius.

ARMINIA BIELEFELD: Hain, Kauf (sub Bollmann 57 mins), Rau, Masmanidis, Eigler (sub Zuma 69 mins), Kirch, Mijatovic, Wichniaerk (sub Leonidas 69 mins), Bohme (sub Ndjeng 57 mins), Langkamp, Tesche. Subs: Subs: Fernandez.

ROVERS: Friedel, Ooijer (sub Khizanishvili 80 mins), Warnock (sub Berner 18 mins), Samba (sub Henchoz 80 mins), Nelsen, Tugay (sub Dunn 61 mins), Bentley (sub Gallagher 72 mins), Mokoena (sub Savage 46 mins), Pedersen (sub Peter 72 mins), Roberts (sub Derbyshire 61 mins, McCarthy (sub Rigters 61 mins). Subs not used: Brown, Kane.