ROVERS’ play-off hopes were extinguished with a disappointing 4-2 defeat at Peterborough on Saturday.

It had seemed a tall order to finish in the top six after two consecutive promotion seasons, but the players deserve great credit for coming close.

A win at London Road would have meant our fate would be decided on the final day of the season, but familiar shortcomings on our travels were again in evidence on Saturday.

Our home form has been outstanding but our away form needs addressing next season if we are to finish higher in the table.

Although we were playing some neat football at times, we did not carry enough threat up front and uncharacteristic defensive weaknesses proved costly.

Posh took the lead with a good finish in the 13th minute but we were given a golden opportunity to restore parity with a penalty which Harrison failed to convert.

He did not strike it with sufficient power or conviction and question marks remain over whether Harrison can produce consistently good performances to move the club forward.

We had a mountain to climb after that as a rare Sweeney slip saw our opponents double their advantage with half an hour gone.

The second half continued in the same vein as a shot somehow squirmed through the legs of Lumley to make it 3-0 and veteran marksman Mackail-Smith showed his class with a cool finish to make it four.

Gaffney scored a couple of consolation goals late on but it was too little, too late.

The defeat still left the Pirates in a creditable 10th place and Darrell Clarke will know where he needs to strengthen to improve on that.

Despite their errors on Saturday, Lumley and Sweeney have plugged the gaps in defence and we would welcome them back if their services can be secured, while a couple of new forwards are needed to make the attack more potent.

The Gas will look to finish the season on a high as Millwall visit the Mem on Sunday.