‘Best feeling I’ve had’: Ryan Loft on scoring his first goal for Bristol Rovers

Ryan Loft says his goal for Bristol Rovers in their 3-1 win over Port Vale was the best feeling he has ever had.

Loft came off the bench and replaced top scorer Aaron Collins, to score his first goal since joining from Scunthorpe United in January.

A through ball from Sam Finley on the counter-attack put Loft in for a one-on-one and he showed composure to place the ball past the goalkeeper.

The 24-year-old has endured a difficult time, having been out with injury, but made a telling impact at Vale Park, becoming one of the unlikely heroes.

Rovers’ win over the Valiants opened the automatic promotion race wide open with just two points separating Vale and Rovers now.

And in what was a closely contested fixture, Loft delivered an heroic moment in front of a travelling contingent of over 2,200 Gas fans, sparking jubilant celebrations in the away end.

“Of all the goals I have scored, that is the best feeling that I have had,” said the striker to BBC Radio Bristol.

“I think I have needed it, it’s also good to pay back the team. The goal was all their hard work and I just put the cherry on the top. I was buzzing to get my first goal.

“Coming on and they’re chasing another goal to get back into the game. There’s going to be opportunities to find space and what a great pass from Sam.

“As a striker you have to be in those positions and thankfully I took it. What a way to score it in front of a packed end.

“I had a lot of time to think about it, I saw the defender coming across and the goalkeeper coming out and there was a lot of room in it behind. The main thing is that was the one idea and that is the one I went with.”

Opportunities have been hard to come by for Loft since his move, having been injured in February, whilst when the opportunity has been presented to him, he has been given a few cameo appearances.

Aaron Collins has also been preferred to him with Joey Barton opting to play with one striker usually, despite in January bringing Loft in to be a focal point.

And last week, Loft wasn’t even due to be in the match day squad against Salford with Leon Clarke due to start, but a late hamstring injury saw him withdraw and Loft take his place.

And just three days later, having almost not been a part of their 18-man squad on Good Friday, he played a huge part in his sides automatic promotion bid.

Asked what his goal would do for his part playing forward in the season, Loft said: “Everyone has got competition for places but ultimately when you are doing well it is hard to change a winning team.

“You have to be a good teammate and when you are called upon, hopefully I can add something like I did today.

“I think we won’t give up until the last game. I think today was a massive stamp on it on what we are trying to do. With the games coming up we will feel confident and we won’t give up until the final whistle.”