Clarke apologises to fans after 'not acceptable' performance

DARRELL Clarke gave his Bristol Rovers players “old-school” treatment after the Gas conceded four for the second match running in a 4-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers.

- Malachi Obrey

The Pirates had lost their last two League Two fixtures before Saturday, heading into the game off the back of a poor 4-0 defeat at home to MK Dons. Back in front of their home supporters again, it was more of the same viewing for the Gasheads at the Memorial Stadium as they witnessed another four goals fly past the Rovers goalkeeper.

After what Clarke dubbed a “rubbish” start, the Gas conceded the opener after 33 minutes when Nathan Smith headed home unmarked in Luke Southwood’s penalty area. The hosts tried to respond through an effort from Fabrizio Cavegn as he was played into the box by Alfie Chang, however the Swiss striker could not hit the target.

A tough team talk was unable to pick up the Rovers players as Tranmere doubled their lead just six minutes into the second half, with Connor Jennings looping a header over Southwood, who was caught in no man’s land.

The visiting skipper doubled his tally 22 minutes later as he tapped home past the Gas goalkeeper, with the Northern Ireland international palming a bending shot from Omari Patrick into Jennings’ path.

In the 79th minute, Tranmere added a fourth, hitting Clarke's men on the counter as substitute Josh Davison slid to tap in a cross towards the back post.

Pirates midfielder Chang managed to pull back a consolation goal with five minutes of normal time to play but it was too little too late for the hosts.

“I apologise, first and foremost,” said a forlorn Gas head coach after the match.

“I put a team out there that represents me, and we were so far off it today. Out-battled, out-duelled, outplayed in all areas of the pitch and it's not acceptable and it'll never be acceptable while I'm manager.