FOOTBALL-ENGLAND-Reggae Boy Brown a 'quality operator', says Barton.

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has hailed controversial forward Jevani Brown as a 'quality operator' and believes he will move 'from strength to strength', after his maiden goal for the club earned them a 3-0 victory over Port Vale.

The 28-year-old Jamaican forward, who arrived at Memorial Stadium from Exeter City during the summer on a two-year-deal, scored in the 85th minute to cap off a dominant display by the home side.

Brown's strike came in his seventh League One game of the season.

'Jevani's a quality operator and that goal was important because it will lift a weight off his shoulders and I'm sure that he'll now go from strength to strength for us,' Barton said.

Reggae Boy Jevani Brown.

'It was his best performance in the blue and white quarters and a lovely top-binner like that right in front of our most vociferous fans will certainly settle him and endear him to the supporters.

'It was a hell of a ball in for the first goal and everyone in the stadium now knows what a top-notch operator JB is.'

Brown joined Rovers under a cloud of controversy, amid an ongoing court case after being charged last February for assaulting a woman in Exeter city centre. He was immediately suspended by Exeter and subsequently released in May without ever playing again.

In July, while a Rovers player, he was fined 5 000 pounds sterling after being found guilty of slapping a woman and...