‘Disappointed’ - Andy Mangan on Bristol Rovers draw v Fleetwood but sees ‘positives’

Andy Mangan rued Bristol Rovers’ lack of game management as they drew 2-2 with Fleetwood Town. The Gas conceded an equaliser from Shaun Rooney in the ninth minute of additional time.

Mangan was speaking in the place of Joey Barton, who was sent to the stands after a red card from Robert Madden. Barton could only watch on from a spectator seat as Fleetwood came away with a draw.

Rooney put Fleetwood in front in the first-half, but a much-improved Rovers saw them go in front. Josh Coburn scored his fourth goal of his loan spell and Aaron Collins - who who assisted him - got in on the action as he reached double figures for the season with an uncharacteristic header.

Collins was presented with several opportunities to score from one-on-ones, as did his strike partner but they could only register a goal apiece. Rovers were made to regret not putting their chances away when an unmarked Rooney scored a header from a Danny Andrews cross.

“Disappointed,” said Mangan when asked for his immediate reflection on the game. “We’ve gone in 1-0 at half-time. We asked the lads for a response and we’ve changed it tactically and we’ve came away with a 2-2 draw after going 2-1 up. There are so many positives but you’re always looking to improve.

“You’re always looking to shut teams down. We have got to be better in those final moments. When the ball is getting slung in the box we need to be more disciplined in those situations.

He added: “I think the whole stadium will go home disappointed but coming in 1-0 down at half-time to a team that don’t concede many goals to go and score two, there are many positives.

"We’ve just got to be better in those final moments. I thought we dominated possession. We’ve got to take more chances. We’ve created an awful lot of chances and we should be well out of sight before that free-kick before the end."