Danny Schofield was bitterly disappointed that a strong performance at Harrogate Town brought only a single point after Rovers conceded two preventable goals.
Rovers deservedly opened up a two goal lead early in the second half as Luke Molyneux added to Aidan Barlow’s first half strike but the hosts hit back twice in ten minutes to ensure a share of the spoils.
Schofield on how the game played out:
“It’s disappointing to be leading by two goals and then concede in the manner that we did. It was frustrating so there’s definitely it’s disappointment rather than it being a good away point.
“I thought the goals we scored were excellent and to go 2-0 up and be in control but then not be able to deal with how they went more direct and have the first and second contacts. We didn’t have the capability or impact we wanted in those moments.
“We know what League Two is full of and it was definitely a scrap and a battle in the second half. I felt the lads fought really well for long periods bit there were key moments that let us down.
On what changed the game:
“It was more direct balls into our last lines - it was simple as that. We wanted to get as much pressure on the ball as high up as possible because the balls were coming in from deeper areas into our last line and we weren’t getting enough in those first contact.
“We were getting contacts but they weren’t clean and we weren’t getting them far enough away from our goal. Then we started losing a lot of second balls in the middle of the balls which I’d felt we dealt really well with in the first half.”
On the effort of the players:
“I felt as though the lads gave everything. They’re playing to their level and capability. We speak about winning the fight and competing and although we’ve got a lot of young players on the pitch, they’re doing that and giving all they’ve got.”
On the mood in the dressing room following the game:
“The lads are very down. There’s a real togetherness and they’re fighting for each other. We know it’s difficult in order to compete and win football games and that’s what we’re trying to do all the time. They’re down but we’ll lift them up and get ready and prepared for Stevenage.
“I feel the last three performances have been much better. We’ve been in the game against Gillingham, then Grimsby where we conceded two goals that were preventable, and then this one was similar.
“We can’t keep saying that - we’ve got to keep fighting and looking for that win. There’s plenty of belief in the players that we can win games between now and the end of the season.”
