Bristol Rovers came from behind to beat Salford City in dramatic fashion while overcoming a series of setbacksDarrell Clarke celebrates Bristol Rovers’ victory over Salford City(Image: Steve Taylor/PPAUK)

Darrell Clarke has praised his Bristol Rovers players for overcoming setbacks as the Gas came from behind to beat in-form Salford City 2-1 at the Mem to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.

Former Rovers loanee Matt Butcher put Salford ahead with a lovely finish as the visitors dominated the majority of the first half before Ellis Harrison equalised in added time.

Fabrizio Cavegn then completed the turnaround midway through the second half as the Swiss striker capitalised on a mistake in the Ammies defence.

There was still time for drama though as Salford were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time which Luke Southwood saved to ensure the Pirates held onto the three points.

Clarke had to make four changes from the previous weekend’s 1-1 draw at Colchester United and, reflecting on the match, said: “I’ve just said to the boys in there, difficult afternoon for us to come out with the three points with the injuries that we’ve got in the group, lads coming out from the cold who haven’t particularly started the season well but putting in a dogged performance and that just shows you the importance of the group, doesn’t it?

“Was the performance great? No. I thought we were poor first half. I thought second half we were a lot better and capitalised on an individual mistake for the second goal. Goal just before half time is a big goal for us.

“Then the crowd and the momentum, we managed to see the game out in spectacular fashion with Luke pulling off a great save.”

Referee Gareth Rhodes’ first controversial decision came early in the match with the score goalless as Cavegn was brought down while through on goal with nothing given.

There were a series of questionable decisions for both teams as the game went on but he was in the spotlight when deeming Luke Thomas to have conceded a foul in the area when regaining the ball, subsequently pointing to the penalty spot.

Luke Garbutt stepped up to take but Southwood guessed the right way before smothering the rebound to ensure Rovers held on.

“I thought he had a poor game but people have poor games,” Clarke stated on the officiating. “What I will say is the officiating’s got to get better. From what I’ve seen so far, it has [to], and I mean poor for both teams, that’s not just me being purely biassed.

“Me and Danny Cowley were having the same conversation last week about the officiating there as well. We need standards to rise. There’s a lot of people’s livelihoods ride on getting good calls and big calls right and decisions right and no they’re not perfect and I believe I’ve got a good relationship with referees but everybody’s got to be accountable for the performances and I thought he was poor today, but listen you’ll learn.

“Who do I kill,” he added when asked what he was thinking when the penalty was awarded. “To be honest with you it just never looked a penalty then looking back on the screen I don’t get the decision. But listen, when you when that happens is you’re looking for your goalie to pull out a real real massive moment and the double save was massive and there’s no way no better way to adear yourself to the fans while you’re pulling off a match winning save like that so really pleased for Luke and the lads.”

Supporters were left concerned over the past week after Promise Omochere was forced off injured in the first half of their draw at Colchester last time out. The Irishman was absent from the squad to face Salford, along with defender Kacper Lopata.

On injuries, Clarke explained, “Well good news because we thought it was a real bad one but we expect him to miss about four games, four or five games, so that is a lot better news than we thought after the game. He’s come back as a hamstring tear on his opposite leg from last season but really good news from the scan.

“He’s in a real positive place just one of those things. He overstretched on a sprint for the actual goal, to be honest in case Fabrizio squared it the other week so obviously missing missing key players today but that’s why we have a squad.

“Kacper’s been playing with a knee problem for three games. People don’t see that he’s put his body on the line. We had a look at that and he just needed some rest. We’re hoping he’s going to be back for next week but we’ll see.”