Joey Barton praised an "excellent" performance from his Bristol Rovers players after they picked up a deserved point in a goalless draw with Peterborough United at Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday.
The Gas halted a three-game losing run with a disciplined display against a Posh side chasing a place in the play-offs, minimising the threat of ex-Rovers striker Jonson Clarke-Harris and a free-scoring frontline.
In the second half, it was Rovers who had the best opportunities to make the breakthrough, but the final pass often eluded them with Aaron Collins mustering their best attempt, forcing a fine save from Will Norris with a 20-yard drive.
Peterborough were desperate to find a winner with Derby County dropping points elsewhere, but a Rovers defence led by Lewis Gibson and Jarell Quansah limited Darren Ferguson's side to very few clear-cut chances, despite enjoying periods of pressure.
Barton said a winner was the only thing missing from a strong performance on the road.
"We knew this would be a tough contest today against a highly-motivated Peterborough side with the division’s top scorer leading the attack," Gas manager Barton said. "We knew we had to defend properly in order to take anything out of the game and, as a team, certainly in the second period, we were excellent.
"They have been free-scoring since Fergie came back and they carried the threat that Jonno always poses because he averages one goal every two games. You have to keep him in check and when they did manage to get anything there, the goalkeeper was there to make a couple of saves.
"But on the balance of play, I know they had to chase it in the second half, we had some really good opportunities in transition and on the counter. On the weight of chances, I think the better ones were ours and we’re a little bit frustrated we haven’t managed to put one in the back of the net and take all of the points.
"We were a bit wary of their pace in the first 20 minutes and the backline was just dropping a fraction and it was causing problems for the midfield. We adjusted that on the fly and we got a chance to adjust at half time. They controlled the spaces really well.
"You have to give credit to James Gibbons and Sam Finley. They picked up early yellow cards and played on that edge with fantastic discipline.
"Our shape was really good today and is the bedrock of if we want to compete like Peterborough and be in with a chance of promotion in the last few games of the season. You have to have that solid chin if you want to be in with a chance of promotion in the last few games of the season and it’s a learning process, but I thought the lads were excellent today.
"It was a really competent performance. The only thing missing was a goal and winning the game."
Goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe was recalled to the XI and he received high praise from his manager after keeping a clean sheet. The Brentford loanee has not played for 11 games since losing his place to James Belshaw and subsequently picking up a knee injury in training.
The 23-year-old former England youth international saved well from Clarke-Harris in the first half and dominated his area from set plays to alleviate the pressure the Gas faced in the second half.
"He hasn’t played for a while, so there was ring rust or whatever," Barton said. "I think a couple of things he did would have been ironed out with a bit of match sharpness. He must’ve played well, our fans were singing his name at the end.
"He’s done alright. I think he’s shown today, the length he kicks the ball makes a huge difference. We’re lucky, we’ve got some good goalkeepers here. James Belshaw is a good goalie, Jed Ward’s a good developing young goalie and Ellery is here on loan and he showed the reason we brought him here again today with that clean sheet.
"It hasn’t quite gone to plan for him, but I think anyone in the stadium today will have seen he is a top prospect. He was excellent when required."
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
