Football Assistant Rovers boss rues ‘silly mistakes’ after Trophy defeat

BRISTOL Rovers assistant head coach Paul Raynor was frustrated at the “silly mistakes,’ which cost the Gas in a 4-3 Vertu Trophy defeat to Plymouth Argyle at the Memorial Stadium.

- Will MURRAY Nill.murray@reachpl

Luke Thomas, left, celebrates with Jack Sparkes after scoring Rovers' third goal in Tuesday night's game against Plymouth

(Picture: Tom Sandberg/Pinnacle)

The 59-year-old did praise the performance from the hosts, though, saying Rovers didn’t get what they deserved against League One opposition.

It was a chaotic evening, with three different goalscorers for Rovers - Shaq Forde, Fabrizio Cavegn and Luke Thomas. The game looked like it was heading for a penalty shootout at 3-3 in the closing stages, but substitute Bim Pepple scored in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to send the Pilgrims into the last eight.

Head coach Steve Evans was then sent-off post match - a double sending off for the bosses as Plymouth’s Tom Cleverley had been dismissed in the first half. It was a dramatic night as Rovers exited the competition in the last 16.