With former players returning and former teammates facing off in the dugouts, there were plenty of sub-plots as Bristol Rovers hosted Barnsley at the Mem on Saturday.
The teams played out a hard-fought goalless draw as the Gas did well to largely nullify a team that has rocketed into automatic promotion contention of late, scoring 11 times in their previous three games.
The big picture is looking brighter for the Gas, halting a seven-game slide with four points from their previous two games to stabilise their season after a dramatic loss of confidence and form. There were plenty of under-the-radar matters of interest, too, and here are some of the moments you may have missed…
Pre-match pleasantries
Joey Barton and his coaching staff are well known to Barnsley boss through the Gas manager's time with him at Burnley as a player, as well as multiple duels in the dugouts after Duff's successful spell in charge at Cheltenham Town.
As a result, there is plenty of respect between the parties and that was on show before the warm-ups began on Saturday, with Duff first engaging in a lengthy chat with Gas first-team coach Andy Mangan. Soon after, Glenn Whelan joined in as the conversation rumbled on for several minutes.
When it comes to warm-ups, managers have different routines. Most of the time, Barton chooses to stay in his office as he prepares his final words before kick-off.
Duff, meanwhile, had a more hands-on approach. He was seen on the pitch with a very close eye on proceedings as the Tykes readied themselves for kick-off. He also had some time for some keepie-uppies – it'd be rude not to.
Friendship renewed
While Bobby Thomas was booed on his return to the Mem after engineering a sudden exit in January, namesake Luke Thomas was applauded by Gasheads as he returned to the BS7 turf for the first time since May 7 and that win over Scunthorpe.
Luke was warmly received by his former teammates, too, after spending last season with the Gas on loan, making a big impression as a popular member of a group that tasted success in the most dramatic fashion.
The layout of the Mem means the coaches and substitutes have to walk across the pitch to reach the dugouts, and both before kick-off and after half time, Luke was locked in conversation with his old captain Paul Coutts.
The Scotsman was ruled out through injury against Barnsley but still took up a seat on the bench to support his teammates, and he took up the chance to catch up with a fellow promotion-winner in the blue and white quarters. James Connolly also shared an embrace with the Barnsley winger as he made his way to the dugout for the second half.
Three red balloons
After their recent excellent form, optimism and excitement was high for the travelling fans at the Mem, although in truth they did not contribute as much noise to the occasion as other fanbases that have visited BS7 in recent weeks.
What they did bring was balloons, however, and in fear of some Darren Bent-style controversy – the beach ball goal for Sunderland against Liverpool in 2009 – fourth official Steven Plane was moved quickly into action.
In the fifth minute during a break in play, the official snuck onto the pitch and grabbed a trio of red inflatables and popped them with relative ease, avoiding the potential embarrassment of them withstanding his clutches.
Fourth official's blunder
That was as good as it got for Mr Plane, unfortunately. Being a fourth official is a thankless task, getting it in the neck from managers for another person's decisions for 90 minutes straight.
There is plenty of admin to complete, too, and with technology involved in the shape of the electronic board, we're not saying it's an easy job.
Particularly when quadruple subs are involved. With a little more than 15 minutes remaining, Duff emptied his bench and made four changes as he chased a winner to keep pace with Barnsley's rivals in the promotion race, and unfortunately for the official the process did not go smoothly.
It started with both the red and green letters showing the number 44 for Tykes striker Devante Cole, and it took multiple attempts to correct the blunder, prompting a moment of humour for the fans in the stands.
There's always next week...
Barton's interruption
After the game, Grant Ward was the player put up for the post-match press conference and he spoke well about his experience at Rovers so far, the improvements the team has made and his future at the club beyond the end of the season.
That was until he was cut off in full flow as Barton made his way into the press room in the depths of the West Stand, unaware that his midfielder was still facing questions from local reporters.
Hugely apologetic as Ward was halted mid-answer, the Gas boss scurried outside and waited until the 28-year-old, who certainly saw the funny side, had finished.
As Ward got up to tuck into his post-match meal and head home, he joked “Give him a bit for that.”
Barton’s presser then went ahead as usual before correctly predicting a comfortable victory for Jon “Bones” Jones in the UFC heavyweight title clash later that evening.
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
