Darrell Clarke hails Bristol Rovers fringe players after ‘gritty point’

Posted Sunday, April 08, 2018 by PA

Darrell Clarke heaped praise on his walking wounded as Bristol Rovers ended Lee Bowyer’s winning streak as Charlton boss.

Already without half-a-dozen first-choice players through injury or suspension, the hosts lost influential midfielder Liam Sercombe to a hamstring problem after only 24 minutes and had to move skipper Tom Lockyer forward from central defence.

“It was a really gritty point for us,” said boss Clarke. “I don’t like to bang on about injuries because it is disrespectful to the lads brought in.

“But this is probably the most players I have had out at one time since I became manager. Not only that, there are members of the squad playing with knocks to help see us through.

“Tom Lockyer has played in three different positions in the space of two games. And today we saw another of our young players step up as Michael Kelly made his debut as a substitute.

“Charlton came here in great form and we have had to dig really deep. I am very proud of my players because it was an end-to-end game that could have gone either way.”

Rovers took a 21st-minute lead after an error by Charlton skipper Jason Pearce, whose header back to goalkeeper Ben Amos was weak and Kyle Bennett nipped in to shoot home.

The visitors hit back on the stroke of half-time when Ben Reeves exchanged passes with Sullay Kaikai on the edge of the box and saw his shot brush the leg of defender Lee Brown to beat Sam Slocombe’s dive.

The Rovers goalkeeper made brilliant saves to keep out curling efforts from Nicky Ajose in the first half and the impressive Reeves in the second.

Charlton keeper Amos did well to palm out a low early shot from Ellis Harrison, but was generally well protected by his defence.

Bowyer, who had won his first three games in charge, said: “I’m disappointed with the result. We probably did enough to win the game on the balance of play, but despite that we are going home with only one point.

“We had chances and forced some saves, but we could have made more of being on top for good periods of the match.

“Jason Pearce’s error has proved costly, but we all make mistakes and he has done a lot of good things in the rest of the game.

“I believe that whatever ground we go to in this league we should be looking to win. It’s better than nothing to come away with a draw, but I can’t be happy with it.

“Overall, I am very pleased with the lads. There are six games left and we have to keep winning, or at least not losing.”