Football Boss Clarke hails 'dogged performance' as Gas overcome setbacks

DARRELL Clarke praised his Bristol Rovers players for overcoming setbacks as the Gas came from behind to beat inform Salford City 2-1 at the Memorial Stadium to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.

- Dan HARGRAVES [e-mail]

Luke Southwood celebrates Rovers' victory

(Picture: Pinnacle)

Former Rovers loanee Matt Butcher put Salford ahead with a lovely finish, as the visitors dominated the majority of the first half, before Ellis Harrison equalised in added time.

Fabrizio Cavegn then completed the turnaround midway through the second half as the Swiss striker capitalised on a mistake in the Salford defence.

There was more drama, though, as Salford were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage-time which Luke Southwood saved to ensure the Pirates held on to the three points.

Clarke had to make four changes from the previous weekend’s 1-1 draw at Colchester United and, reflecting on the match, said: "I've just said to the boys in there, difficult afternoon for us to come out with the three points with the injuries that we've got in the group, lads coming out from the cold who hadn't particularly started the season well but put in a dogged performance and that just shows you the importance of the group, doesn’t it?