Football Clarke bemoans Rovers’ ‘soft underbelly’ after latest loss

DARRELL Clarke bemoaned the soft goals Bristol Rovers gave away in their 3-1 away defeat against Accrington Stanley.

- Will MURRAY

The Gas have now lost their last six games in League Two, meaning they sit only three points above the relegation zone.

Rovers fell behind early in the first-half, with Isaac Heath scoring for the hosts after six minutes. Despite Kamil Conteh’s long-range equaliser in the 59th minute, Farrend Rawson and Isaac Sinclair scored for John Doolan’s side to inflict another defeat on the Gas.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Clarke said: “We're soft in both boxes. We should finish, get one cleared off the line, but it should be in the back of the net in the first-half. We're becoming very easy to score against and needing way too many chances at the other end, whether it be the final pass, the final shot. Way too many opportunities we're turning down at the top end of the pitch, and with that, when you're conceding rubbish goals, it’s going to cost you.”

The goals that Rovers conceded were all avoidable, with a set-pieces and individual mistakes allowing Accrington to take all three points.