Joey Barton believes Bristol Rovers delivered a performance to build on after Ryan Loft's stoppage-time equaliser rescued a deserved point for the Gas at Exeter City on Saturday.
St James Park seemed haunted for Rovers last season, conceding nine first-half goals across two trips to Exeter, but this time around they were the better side in a 2-2 draw. Only their own errors put them in danger of defeat, but Loft headed substitute Sylvester Jasper's tantalising cross beyond Jamal Blackman in the second minute of added time to end a three-game losing run for Rovers.
The Gas are still winless in eight in the league and remain 21st in the table, but this was a dramatically improved performance from Barton's side. They were defensively solid and deservedly took the lead through John Marquis in the second half. Exeter's attack had been blunted, but Rovers gifted them a route back into the game with Antony Evans bringing down Jack Sparkes in the area, allowing Jevani Brown to equalise with the Grecians' first shot on target.
