IT’S ON days like Saturday when non-footballing fans question our sanity, as howling winds and driving rain failed to deter us from our matchday ritual.

Conditions at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday were horrendous, but the 6,000 or so Gasheads who braved the elements were rewarded with a display bursting with energy, passion and commitment.

It looked like the confidence lost during our winless run had been restored following the previous Saturday’s victory and the players were eager to take to the field again and build on that win. Both sides deserve credit for providing an entertaining game despite the conditions and Rovers ran out worthy 2-1 winners.

Pat Baldwin produced an assured debut at right back and the experienced loan signing from Colchester looks like he will bolster the defence over the coming weeks. Defensively as a whole we looked more solid than in recent weeks as individual errors were largely eradicated.

Most of the players produced solid performances and Stuart Campbell capped another inspirational captain’s performance with a clearance off the line in the second half. Jeff Hughes also sealed another impressive display by coolly slotting in the winning spot-kick after the officials spotted a deliberate handball.

However, our superiority should have put us well ahead by that stage and Chris Dickson showed again that he is not the answer up front. More options on the flanks rather than deploying players out of their normal positions would give us a greater attacking threat.

Unfortunately the good run didn’t continue at Charlton on Tuesday night as the Pirates went down 4-2 at the Valley, but the spirit shown to come back to 2-2 from 2-0 down was commendable, with goal machines Hughes and Lines adding to their tallies. The game could have gone either way at that stage and losing to one of the promotion favourites is no disgrace.

A blank weekend will now give the players time to concentrate on the encounter with Exeter at the Memorial Stadium next Tuesday. A third consecutive home win, against our West Country rivals, would keep us firmly in the hunt for play-off places and come rain or shine, we will be there.

Do you agree with Jeff’s views? Have your say at gazetteseries.co.uk/sport