Barton happy to keep the momentum going

BRADFORD BRISTOL ROV 2 2

JOEY Barton admits that Bristol Rovers are far from the finished article – but he believes their last-gasp equaliser at Bradford on Saturday has added to his side’s positive momentum.

Rovers were woeful in the first half at Valley Parade, struggling to cope with the Bantams’ press, and Barton was lucky to have his side back in the dressing room at just 1-0 down, Charles Vernam the man to break the deadlock in the 42nd minute.

Rovers mustered an immediate response after the interval, with Alfie Kilgour heading Antony Evans’ wicked corner into the net, but Andy Cook restored the lead within 90 seconds as the visitors were caught cold at the back.

But Evans’ delivery was pivotal in rescuing a point for the Pirates, whipping the ball onto the head of Brett Pitman, who sent a sublime header into the top corner in the final minute of the match.

Rovers remain 16th in League

Two, four points off the top seven, after salvaging a point, and Barton believes it could be an important moment in their season.

“First half, we weren’t at the races,” he said. “We just never got going. I spoke to the lads at half-time and said we were fortunate the game was still there for us if we improved and upped our performance.

“To be fair to the lads they took it on and scored, got back into the game, but almost as quick as we scored, they’re (Bradford) back in the ascendency, and we probably played our best football at 2-1 down.

“Luke Thomas, Sammy Nicholson and Brett will get the headlines because it’s one hell of a goal, but I thought the boys, like Antony Evans dropping down, were brave when they got the ball and they took the game on.

“I felt we were unfortunate not to win it in the end. Connor (Taylor) thinks his header is going in but it looks like it just clips a defender or Aaron (Collins) which keeps it out. It would’ve been a nice cherry on top.

“However, on reflection coming here this season, it keeps our momentum going. We know we’re not the finished article, but it backs up the positive result at home last weekend with another hard-earned point on the road. The best is yet to come from our time, but a really nice point to take back with us and we know that we can be miles better in many departments.”

Pitman’s equaliser was a snapshot of his class inside the confines of the penalty area, leaving goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell rooted.

Barton believes that type of service is the formula for getting the best out of the veteran striker, who in other games has often been on a different wavelength to Rovers’ playmakers.

The manager add: “We’ve got to service the box. If you’re asking Brett to run around and set the press then you’re not playing to his strengths.

“The boys know that if they service the box, Brett is as good as anybody in the football pyramid.”

Bradford: O’Donnell, Threlkeld, Songo’o, O’Connor, Ridehalgh (Foulds 30), Watt (Scales 81), Sutton, Gilliead, Cooke, Vernam, Cook. Not Used: Canavan, Kelleher, Robinson, Cousin-Dawson, Lavery.

Goals: Vernam 42, Cook 50.

Rovers: Belshaw, Hoole (Thomas 46), Kilgour, Taylor, Anderton, Coutts (Nicholson 59), Whelan, Anderson, Collins, Evans, Saunders (Pitman 22). Not Used: Westbrooke, Martinez, T Clarke, Ward.

Booked: Saunders, Coutts, Kilgour, Pitman.

Goals: Kilgour 48, Pitman 90.

Attendance: 16,664.

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).