Rovers show character but sending-off proves costly

Talking points from Bristol Rovers' defeat to Chesterfield at the SMH Group Stadium, by Dan Hargraves

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ALTHOUGH it was an improved performance against a team expected to be in the League Two promotion hunt this season, Bristol Rovers fell to a fourth defeat from four games away at Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon, losing 3-1.

The Gas are yet to make their presence felt in the fourth tier but, on a day where a major decision went against them, showed more character than in recent displays. Of course, that still isn’t enough as they seek that much-needed first win.

Joel Senior's red card towards the end of the first half has been much-discussed and the general verdict is that it was a seriously poor decision; Darrell Clarke called it “soft” without going into too much detail in order to avoid spilling anything that might get him a fine.

Tom Naylor scored just after the sending off occurred as what had been a solid start for the Pirates was completely turned over.

Rovers did well to look as though they were still playing 11 vs 11, finding an equaliser through substitute Isaac Hutchinson, but from that point the gaps started to appear and Chesterfield found the goals to seal victory.