We deserved a point from wearside – Rovers boss
BRISTOL Rovers boss Ben Garner felt his side deserved their point in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
But he felt a potential red card which wasn’t handed out to the Black Cats’ Bailey Wright was a key turning point.
Leading from Luke Leahy’s thirdminute penalty, The Gas thought they were going to get a man advantage when Wright, already on a booking, fouled Brandon Hanlan.
Referee Anthony Backhouse initially went to get his yellow card out but appeared to change his mind as Wright enjoyed a reprieve.
“I think the turning point in the second half was the foul on Brandon Hanlan by Bailey Wright,” Garner said. “The referee gets a yellow card out of his pocket and in his hands, and for whatever reason after chatting with Bailey Wright he puts it away and changes his mind.
“That would have been a big moment in the game if they go down to 10 and we get the momentum. As it was, the momentum swung their way and they started playing really well.
“There were a couple of changes we had to make and we lost our flow in the game, but we ground it out. We are a young team and we showed our character today.”
Garner was particularly pleased with the way his side kept out Sunderland’s attack for large parts of the game – with Charlie Wyke, Danny Graham and Lyndon Gooch all introduced in a bid to break down the visitors’s defence.
“We worked hard in the week on our defensive shape,” Garner added. “I think when you look at the players they’re bringing off the bench like Lynden Gooch and Danny Graham, they’re top players, and I thought Maguire for them was outstanding with the pockets he gets into and the problems he causes.
“We worked hard on that and I’m pleased to get out with a point. On another day it might have been three points. Defensively, if we’re as solid as that in games this season we’re going to pick up a lot of points away from home. “Sunderland were very good today. They’re an outstanding team in this division and they showed their quality.”