Familiar feeling as Rovers lack end product in FA Cup defeat

Talking points from Bristol Rovers' FA Cup defeat to Port Vale at Vale Park, by Will Murray

- Will Murray

THE strange feeling that in some way you have already experienced what is happening now.” That’s the dictionary definition of Deja vu, which perfectly summarises how I felt at full-time as Bristol Rovers lost 1-0 to Port Vale in the second round of the FA Cup.

After Ben Waine’s 47th-minute strike at Vale Park, the Gas never really looked like equalising and were second best on another frustrating afternoon for Darrell Clarke's side.

Rovers had chances, with the best opportunity falling to Ellis Harrison, pictured, in the first half. Apart from this, it was a case of a lot of huffing and puffing with a lack of end product for a team lacking in confidence.

Clarke was his usual honest self in his post-match interview, with some telling quotes about the squad, who could break the club's record for consecutive league defeats, if they lose at Barnet tomorrow night.

With that said, here are the main talking points from Vale Park.

A 'SUNDAY LEAGUE GOAL' WITH SOME HOME TRUTHS FROM CLARKE

THE goal that Port Vale scored was incredibly soft, which Clarke quickly acknowledged in his post-match interview. He described the defending leading up to Waine’s strike as “Sunday League,’ before going on to say, “That's why he came off the pitch”.

Four minutes after the opener, Stephan Negru and Bryant Bilongo came off, so without putting words into his mouth, Clarke was probably referring to Negru, who, along with Tom Lockyer, misjudged Connor Hall’s headed through ball through the middle of the backline, which allowed Waine to run on to it and score.