Moments of individual brilliance have been a frequent source of Bristol Rovers’ impressive form since the turn of the year, with just one defeat from their last nine league games, but the victory over promotion contenders Sutton United at the Mem came through the efforts of a cohesive unit.
Goals early in each half from Harry Anderson and Aaron Collins secured the three points and even with a missed penalty from Paul Coutts, it could have easily been a more flattering scoreline in favour of the Gas.
Rovers have rarely dominated games from start to finish and have often relied on individual brilliance to win points, with Aaron Collins, Antony Evans and James Belshaw the consistent names providing those moments.
However, there was no need for a certain player to provide a match-defining moment as every man in blue and white quarters performed admirably and played their role in making sure Rovers got back to winning ways.
Here are a few moments you may have missed from Tuesday’s win...
Consistency builds confidence
Through multiple factors, Joey Barton has been unable to name a consistent starting XI throughout the campaign, but for just the second time this season, the Gas boss made zero changes to his team.
During the first few months of the season, suspensions and injuries often meant Barton would ring the changes in between games making relationships on the pitch difficult to build.
When fit, Sam Finley, Antony Evans and Collins felt like guaranteed starters simply through their influence in attack, meaning the alterations would be more defensively-minded.
However, the blossoming centre-back partnership that is developing between James Connolly and Connor Taylor and the recent performances of Luca Hoole and Nick Anderton have made all four undroppable.
The rigorous League Two schedule means fatigue is inevitable, while suspensions and injuries are simply just a part of the game that will undoubtedly affect team selections going forward.
But, off the back of two impressive performances against Mansfield and Sutton who both arrived in North Bristol in impeccable form, it’s difficult to see Barton making any changes unless his hand is forced.
Touchline Barton
Unavoidable weather conditions made last Saturday’s game against Mansfield a difficult watch at times, but just four days later that impactful factor had passed and those inside the Mem were treated to a frantic game of football, which Barton matched with his touchline actions.
His team starting on the front foot with a real intent prompted the Gas boss to display his usual energetic instructions and that was perhaps more amplified by his sides early goal and Sutton’s clear vulnerability in their defensive third.
Barton was barking out instructions from the sidelines, encouraging his players to move the ball and stretch the opposition every time they ventured forward.
In the 37th minute with Nick Anderton in possession, the Gas had a clear overload on the left-hand side with Sam Nicholson hugging the touchline and Elliot Anderson just inside of him, but a closed-off first touch from the left-back allowed Sutton to reposition and close off the threat.
Anderton cutting back instead of progressing the ball side saw Barton angrily turn away flailing arms after a good opportunity to attack the wide areas fell apart.
Just eight minutes later, Barton made his feelings very clear to the officials after Collins’ late first-half goal was disallowed for offside despite a late flag from the linesman.
Initially amidst the disgruntled mumbles from the terraces, Barton could scarcely be heard bellowing at the referee before pacing up the touchline to vent further at the linesman positioned the furthest from the controversial incident.
The unknown penalty message
Amidst the sea of chances for the Gas in the first 45 minutes, the most clear-cut opportunity to double their lead came through a penalty that was missed by Coutts minutes before the half time whistle.
There was some confusion in the press box when the club captain stepped up to the spot instead of Collins especially as he had previously scored against Sutton from the spot in December and was the man who won the penalty.
And Barton revealed after the game he tried to get a message onto the pitch moments before the penalty was taken.
In the final knockings of his post-match press conference, Barton learned that Finley was waiting to face some questions and prompted reporters to ask the midfield maestro what message was passed onto him ahead of the penalty being taken, that he supposedly ignored.
What Barton was implying wasn’t totally clear but it seemed likely in reference to the penalty taker, whether the message was for Finley to take it himself or for another Rovers player to take on the responsibility it’s unknown, but Barton very clearly wanted something done differently.
Barton’s immediate reactions
Watching those in blue and white after a victory at the Mem is always a fascinating sight.
Collins’ thankful look to the sky after his brace against Rochdale and Evans’ roar of celebration after the victory over Walsall being the post-match scenes that immediately come to mind, but this time it was the manager’s turn to provide that memorable moment.
The Pirates boss marched onto the pitch after the full-time whistle, embracing all those had contributed to the victory, with longer moments off affection saved for Luke Thomas and Collins.
The former was only on the pitch for the final five minutes but got a warm reception after his work rate caused the U’s a lot of unrest which included a superb sliding tackle right at the feet of Barton, while Collins seemed to be talking his manager through his incredible goal 25 seconds into the second half.
Barton saved the most notable gesture for last though, shouting at the Thatchers Terrace and throwing his arms up in the air in celebration, a sight that is becoming more and more familiar now the Gas are unbeaten in their last five home games.
Notable names in the stands
With limited action on offer in the EFL this past mid-week, managers across the football leagues were likely looking for somewhere to catch some live football and possibly even scout some players. Michael Duff has been a regular at the Mem this season, both on the touchline and in the stands, but on Tuesday it was a different League One manager and a Gas fan favourite in attendance.
Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley was located in the complimentary seating for Tuesday’s game, with Pompey not in action after their 4-0 demolition of Doncaster at the weekend and he would have likely been very impressed with what he saw from Harry Anderson, especially after the two worked together at Lincoln.
Alongside the former Imps boss, much-loved former Gas boss Paul Trollope was also part of the crowd and unlike Cowley’s appearance it certainly wasn’t his first time at the Mem this season.
Trollope, who spent six years with Rovers as head coach and was most recently Chris Hughton's No2 at Nottingham Forest, has been to several Tuesday evening games already this season, and after what he saw in the victory over Sutton, it is very unlikely to be his last visit of the season.
Not to dabble in symbolism or anything, but the memory of that League Two play-off win in 2007 with Trollope at the helm still burns bright and, who knows, he could prove to be a lucky charm.
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