Joey Barton admits Bristol Rovers' performance at Port Vale on Saturday was "miles short" of what he expected as they fell to a 2-0 defeat.
The Gas were below par for the vast majority of the contest at Vale Park, where Rovers shipped two soft first-half goals to the Valiants, although 19-year-old goalkeeper Jed Ward could take no blame in just his second career start for the club as Ellis Harrison and Tom Pett put the hosts in command.
Barton rang the changes early in the second half, using all five substitutes at his disposal, and although the intensity levels rose, they could not break down a Vale side that was determined to hold onto their lead as they looked to pull clear of the League One relegation zone.
