| abstract | - Striker Tom Eaves joined Rovers on loan from Bolton Wanderers late in September 2012 following the team's disappointing start to the 2012–13 season. They had scored a total of just five goals in their first nine games, leading to manager Mark McGhee feeling the need to bolster his forward line with Eaves and Derek Riordan, who joined on a short-term contract the same day. He made his debut in the 2–1 victory over Exeter City on 29 September 2012, Rovers' first win of the season, and he scored his first goal for The Gas, and his first goal in senior football, a week later in a 3–1 win over Northampton Town. By the time he returned to his parent club at the end of December 2012 he was The Pirates' top league scorer with seven goals to his name. During his loan spell there had been changes of management at both Rovers and Bolton, and although new Gas boss John Ward wanted to extend the deal, Dougie Freedman wanted him to return to Bolton.
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