Bristol Rovers’ stubborn resilience to earn a draw with high-flying Mansfield Town looked a positive result in isolation, but when factoring deeper components, there was a tinge of disappointment lingering over their goalless stalemate at the Mem.
A point against the Stags, who are unbeaten in their last 11 games – nine of which were wins - would have been reviewed upon as a positive result had it not been for the Gas seeing their own undefeated streak of six games depart last Tuesday following a 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Oldham Athletic.
Another component that would have gone unnoticed by just checking the full-time score would have been the controversial penalty incident in the 63rd minute that would have potentially put Rovers ahead.
Aaron Collins chased onto a long ball forward near the right touchline, he then broke into the penalty area evading the stray leg of Oliver Hawkins, but was then seemingly upended by John-Joe O’Toole inside the 18-yard box, however, referee John Busby booked Collins for simulation, which sent the forward into total disbelief.
It was the defining moment in a game heavily impacted by the blustery weather conditions that saw each side dominate a half with the support of those conditions behind them. However, neither could take advantage of the quite literal ‘wind in their sails’ and had to each settle for a point.
Here are a few moments you may have missed...
Jones very much in the first team
Joey Barton spoke candidly about the positive progress of Ryan Jones this season ahead of the clash with Mansfield Town following the teenager’s involvement in several first-team matchday squads and although he was not named in the 18 on Saturday, he was still noticeably present.
Jones was working closely with Kevin Bond in the warm-up while those in the squad were being put through their paces on the near touchline, eventually Jones joined in with the substitutes to make up the numbers, alongside Bond, in the passing drill Rovers always conduct ahead of kick-off.
Despite having not made his league debut for Rovers, Jones was on the scoresheet in the 5-3 Papa John’s Trophy defeat to Exeter City. Nick Anderton and Zain Westbrooke also found the back of the net, but it was Jones’ goal that drew the most attention.
The 19-year-old showed his positive and direct running, evading three Exeter players before clinically finishing from just inside the penalty area.
The attacking talent in Rovers’ ranks has made it difficult for him to get a significant first-team opportunity, but Barton is firmly aware of the positive progress he is making, suggesting that while he may need a loan soon, with the right development he could become a first team player.
Nicholson’s back-and-forth with Barton
As the majority of Gasheads are aware, Barton deploys a very hands-on style of management on matchdays and he was heavily involved with Sam Nicholson at the weekend.
The Gas were penned in for much of the first-half, meaning Harry Anderson and Nicholson had to do their fair share of tracking back, but there was one moment Nicholson was caught ball-watching and Barton certainly didn’t hold back.
The Rovers boss berated Nicholson for allowing O’Toole to make an advanced run beyond the midfield line without being tracked, luckily his blushes were saved as Mansfield’s attack broke down. However, that wasn’t the end of their story.
Just a few minutes later, Nicholson launched into a block tackle on Elliot Hewitt right in front of the dugouts with the ball ricocheting directly into Barton’s face, an ironic outcome after the manager had made his feelings known to Nicholson following the earlier incident.
Barton’s message to supporters
Rovers enjoyed their best spell of the game in the early stages of the second half and their front-foot play was certainly recognised by those in the stands and the man on the touchline.
A positive burst from Nicholson ended with a 20-yard shot going just wide of the target and while the noise emanating from the stands was groans at first after a good opportunity was not taken, the sounds soon changed.
Following the effort there were mellow shouts of encouragement, but that wasn’t enough for Barton who gestured with both hands for the crowd to raise the noise in the Mem.
While Rovers weren’t able to take advantage of the support of just over 7,000 Gasheads, Barton knows how important they will be in the remaining nine home fixtures left of the season to help the team rack up points, starting with the visit of Sutton United on Tuesday.
Nicholson’s second-half mission
Nicholson, similarly to Harry Anderson and Elliot Anderson, struggled to get many attacking opportunities as Mansfield edged a scrappy first 45. However, in the second-half, combined with a position change, his impact grew to the annoyance of one Mansfield player in particular.
Lucas Akins, most known for playing as a winger, was positioned at left back for the Stags and while he endured a quiet opening 45, he was terrorised by Nicholson after the interval.
Each time Nicholson received the ball on the half turn he galloped without hesitation straight at Akins, beating him in one-on-one duels on three separate occasions, but with minimal end product.
If anyone from a Rovers perspective was going to provide a moment of magic it looked to be Nicholson, and noticing this, Mansfield changed to a back five which pushed Akins out to right wing-back.
Although, the 32-year-old was given no respite as Nicholson followed him to the other side of the pitch in an attempt to recreate some earlier moments of positivity.
The change in formation though altered the balance of play and allowed Mansfield to get a foothold back in the game and ultimately leave north Bristol with a point.
Bond and Bishop reunite
When you’ve spent as much time in football as Kevin Bond has, it’s inevitable that he will see a few familiar faces nearly every weekend in his current role as Rovers’ first-team coach and Saturday was no different.
As Bond was walking across the pitch ahead of the second half, he took a moment to offer a warm thumbs up to Stags goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.
Before being picked up by Manchester United, Bishop played 31 games for Southend United from 2017 to 2020 and was at the club when Bond was manager for the first half of the 2019/2020 season where the club were relegated from League One.
Southend are now in the National League managed by ex-Rovers coach Kevin Maher, who has guided the Seasiders up to 12th in the table, following no defeats in their last ten.
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