Football Rovers are 'a painful watch', admits boss after Carabao loss

DARRELL Clarke has called Bristol Rovers' 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to fellow League Two side Cambridge United on Tuesday night "a painful watch" after the Gas extended their losing start to the new season to three matches, writes Daniel Hargraves.

- Daniel Hargraves

Rovers started poorly and eventually conceded the opening goal to Louis Appere as frustrations from behind the goal in the Thatcher's End spilled out onto the pitch.

A slight improvement in the second half from the Gas was unrewarded before former Pirates forward Ryan Loft condemned his old side to defeat - a 12th in their last 13 games dating back to the end of last season.

Clarke gathered his players onto the pitch post-match and gave them a team talk in front of an angry Thatcher's End and, when asked for his reflections post-match, said: “A painful watch. There's no hiding from that fact.

“A million miles away from where we need to be. I think there's lots of circumstances in and around that as well, as to why. But listen, I can’t say no more. It’s a painful night.