Joey Barton claimed Bristol Rovers goalkeeper James Belshaw was directly responsible for all four goals conceded against Exeter City as he bemoaned his side’s inability to keep clean sheets, a statistic he believes is holding the team back.
Rovers scored three goals in the space of 17 second-half minutes to recover from a 2-0 deficit at half-time and looked set to close out 2022 with a sensational comeback victory.
But Exeter crafted two goals of their own, amid a Gas defence lacking authority and the necessary aggression, while Belshaw completely lost his bearings as he left his line to try and clear Jamal Blackman’s long ball forward, allowing Sam Nombe to head the winner into an empty net.
