“We had a great chance first half with Ellis [Harrison]. Goalkeeper pulls off a great save, scoring the first goal was key today, and we give a Sunday League goal away.

18:04, 06 Dec 2025Updated 18:50, 06 Dec 2025

Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke looks on(Image: Steve Taylor/PPAUK)

Darrell Clarke described the goal that Bristol Rovers gave away as “Sunday League” defending, with the Gas exiting the FA Cup after a 1-0 defeat against Port Vale in the second round.

Ben Waine collected a header from Connor Hall, which went through the middle of Rovers’ backline, with the number 19 slotting past Luke Southwood two minutes after the break.

“Huffed and puffed and blew nothing down. I thought it was a very lacklustre game, to be honest with you, not a lot of quality in it at times,” Clarke said when asked about the defeat at Vale Park.

“We had a great chance first half with Ellis [Harrison]. Goalkeeper pulls off a great save, scoring the first goal was key today, and we give a Sunday League goal away.

“I’m absolutely raging about the goal, because that is a pathetic goal to give away, not acceptable. And that means we’re chasing the game, and we huffed and puffed. We had a few half-chances, a few chances to break, wide players get enough of the ball to make things happen, forwards have had enough of the ball to make things happen and we haven’t.”

READ MORE: Callum Morton contract length revealed after signing ‘short-term deal’ with Bristol RoversREAD MORE: Alfie Kilgour and Promise Omochere fitness update ahead of Bristol Rovers FA Cup clash

When asked whether the players switched off for the goal that came so soon after the break, Clarke said: “No, I don’t think, I know we did. I know we did. It’s a Sunday league. That’s why he came off the pitch. Listen, players don’t mean to make mistakes, but have a focus and an understanding, that we’re at a level now where you can’t be giving goals away like that, in my opinion.

“And then we’re chasing the game, like you say, it’s a sticky pitch, ball didn’t really move that quick on it. We got ourselves in positions to go and hurt their backline on numerous occasions, and yet again, we didn’t produce enough, anywhere near enough, and when we do get that chance or half-chance, we don’t take it.

“So, listen, I don’t think we deserved anything out of the game if I’m honest with you – they’ve had a few chances, keepers had a good game again. And one or two of them. Like I said, I can go in there and keep stripping them down.”

Sign up for our Rovers newsletter

Bristol Rovers are preparing for a new season in League Two with Darrell Clarke back at the helm and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.

All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Gas, delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE

“I can keep killing the confidence, and sometimes it’s best just to keep your mouth shut in there because I’ll end up ruining careers if I’m honest with you, because some of them think that I think they’re better than what they are at times, and they’re not producing it.

“So produce it, produce those moments, make sure you take care of those moments, and then you start become players because we’ve had enough occasions yet again to get towards their back line, to get on the back line to be able to produce efforts and we don’t.”

Next up for Rovers is a trip to Barnet on Tuesday, as they look to avoid a ninth consecutive league defeat, which would be an unwanted club record. Clarke emphasised that the trip to the Hive is a “big game” for his side, as they look to bounce back and move away from the relegation zone.

READ MORE: Unwanted record means ‘long hard season’ for Bristol Rovers

OPINION