The groans were audible as Bristol Rovers and Accrington Stanley scrapped away ineffectively on Saturday afternoon. They became pained as the Gas slumped to their fifth defeat of a seven-game winless run in League One.
Confidence and cohesion alike are in short supply for Joey Barton's players and their slide continued with a 1-0 defeat at the Mem. There was very little in a contest between two sides hit by injuries and searching for form, but Rovers conceded a goal in keeping with a start to the season that has lacked the laser-like focus they benefitted from last season.
On the press bench, eyes were fixed on laptops when Sean McConville was found in space in the area with Rovers caught catching their breath after averting the danger of a counter-attack. The eyes raised to see McConville dig out a cross for Harry Pritchard, completely unmarked and heading home from six yards. The Gas had been caught napping.
