'If you can't win, don't lose' - Darrell Clarke reflects on Bristol Rovers' draw at Colchester

Bristol Rovers extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 1-1 draw at Colchester UnitedBristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke claps the fans(Image: Steve Taylor/PPAUK)

Darrell Clarke has labelled his Bristol Rovers team’s 1-1 draw at Colchester United “a tough-earned point” as the Gas’ unbeaten run in all competitions was extended to seven matches.

On the back of winning four-straight games in League Two, Rovers never quite replicated the performance levels demonstrated in recent victories while their hosts made it a level game.

Luke Southwood was required to make a good save just three minutes into the game as Colchester looked to put pressure on their visitors from the off. However, slightly against the run of play, the Pirates ended up scoring the opening goal on 40 minutes. A delightful through ball from Alfie Chang was finished confidently by Fabrizio Cavegn for his second goal in as many matches.

OPINION

Author avatar Daniel Hargraves

The Us then equalised early into the second half via Micah Mbick before the game became anyone’s to go and win. In the end, both teams were forced to settle for a point.

“It was a tough-earned point, to be honest with you,” Clarke reflected post-match. “We were never quite at our best. I want to analyse that game. There was a lot going off in the game. The injury unsettles us early. We score a good goal and then start the second half sloppy. A little bit loose in possession, didn’t have enough control as I would have liked. So we take a point and we move on.

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“I thought we were a little bit, at times as a team, really sloppy in possession. That first half, I thought ‘there’s moments here if we get a pass right, the next connection right, we’ll get in’. But we didn’t connect. Our midfielders didn’t really connect as well as I’d have liked.

“Listen, we score a good goal, change a few things about, sloppy start second half and then we sort of came again. The game was bit of a basketball game, to be honest. They played a real quick tempo and we we didn’t have enough control in the game is my it’s my first impression that I’d like to have had.”

Both teams ended the afternoon with 50 per cent possession and 10 shots apiece, with Rovers’ only effort on target being Cavegn’s goal while Southwood made three saves.

Bar the Swiss’ strike, the closest the Gas came to scoring was when Kacper Lopata fired over the crossbar from a set-piece.

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“Luke’s made one good save first half,” the Pirates head coach continued. “Kacper’s missed a great opportunity at a set-piece. We score a good goal, so we might have gone in at half-time in even a better place but we always felt at times that we weren’t in control as much as we’d have liked.

“Sometimes you have to give the opposition credit. They’re on the back of a real disappointing performance and they responded. I’m sure Danny will be happy with his performance. We’re not quite as happy as we should be because we want to win the game, but it wasn’t to be today so if you can’t win it, don’t lose it.”

The draw keeps Rovers 10th in the League Two table after nine matches, level on points with Notts County in the final play-off position.

Next up is a home clash against second-place Salford City who beat former leaders Swindon Town 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

‘If you can’t win, don’t lose’ – Darrell Clarke reflects on Bristol Rovers’ draw at Colchester

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