Football Barton ‘a bit disappointed’ Pirates couldn’t bag three points
JOEY Barton admitted he was “a little bit disappointed” that Bristol Rovers were unable to defeat Tranmere Rovers after Elliot Anderson’s goal handed the Gas a point on the road.
Similarly to the previous weekend’s encounter with Bradford City, the Gas dominated the first 45 minutes but struggled to create any significant chances, with Joe Murphy untested in the Tranmere goal.
The Pirates controlled the opening stages of the second half as well but were caught cold in the 56th minute when Murphy’s long punt forward flew over the heads of Connor Taylor and James Connolly and into the path of Kane Hemmings, who blasted Tranmere into the lead.
We couldn’t find that winner although we kept plugging away
Seven minutes later, though, Rovers were back on terms as Luca Hoole reacted quickest to a second ball, nodding into the path of Elliot Anderson, who swivelled the ball on to his left foot and fired home the equaliser.
Barton’s side pushed for a winner in the closing stages but Tranmere fought their attacks off well, meaning both promotion-chasing teams had to settle for a point.
Barton was pleased with the result, especially as Tranmere are experts at holding on to leads, but a bit disappointed his side didn’t win considering how much control
they had. “I’m a little disappointed we haven’t won the game,” said Barton. “On the flip side of that, you always know it’s going to be a tough place to come. Tranmere are fighting to get promoted like ourselves.
“I thought first half we showed such a level of maturity and control as a team but again without creating that goalscoring moment or chance and then to find ourselves a goal down against the run of play and against a team who don’t open up much.
“I was worried about the situation at that point.
“Tranmere had got what they wanted which was a lead and they can sit back on it. They’ve been well versed in that over the course of the season. It’s a major part as to why they’ve been successful.
“But we score a great goal and get back in it and at that point there was only one team trying to push on and win. Unfortunately today we couldn’t find that winner although we kept plugging away.”