Danny Schofield was left to rue costly defensive mistakes as Rovers closed the 2022/23 season with defeat at Walsall.
After an even first half, the hosts surged clear after the break with goals from Conor Wilkinson and Issac Hutchinson before a brilliant strike from Bobby Faulkner saw Rovers threaten a late comeback.
Schofield on how the game played out:
“It’s disappointing. I felt in the first half we were good and really competitive. I felt the game was in the balance and there wasn’t a lot between the two teams. They started the second half much better, on the front foot.
“The way we conceded the first goal was disappointing because we had pressure in the far corner which led to that. We didn’t defend the box well enough and it's cost us in the end. It was from our throw in. We allowed their centre back to get out of that position and let him out too easy. There was a number of moments leading to that goal where we fell short.
“I didn’t feel there was a great deal in the game but certain moments went for Walsall.”
On the performances of younger players:
“I felt Jack Degruchy did really well. We feel he’s got a lot of development left to do, certainly physically, to compete at this level. He's been out on loan and had really good regular training sessions with the first team.
"We felt he came back from his loan in a better place and he deserved his opportunity today.
“Jack Goodman had a good impact when he came on. He made some really good runs into the channels to get us higher up the pitch. He struggled with the physical contacts with the centre backs and this is something that players need to focus on in their development. I thought he did well.”
On Bobby Faulkner’s goal:
“It was a great strike from Bobby. It was from the second phase at the set play and he caught it nice and clean.
“I thought Bobby performed really well and he’s someone who has really progressed and developed this season.”
On finishing 18th in Sky Bet League Two:
“For me, that is really disappointing. We want to finish as high up as possible. The aim is always play-offs and it’s not materialised. We were in and around it up until the end of February and fell off in March and April which is not good enough.
“We need to reflect and have discussions with everyone in the club and see where we go taking the club forward.”