ROVERS produced an improved performance at Mansfield on Saturday to return with a point.

Although draws are not ideal, given our position in the table, it was pleasing to see that heads did not drop after going a goal down and a battling display ensured that honours were even.

It was a deserved equaliser as the Pirates showed what they can do when they do not resort to pumping long balls up front and try to play a more entertaining style of football.

On another day our dominance may have paid off with victory, but hopefully the result will be a springboard to a return to winning ways.

Santos scored the goal that secured the draw and is a clutch of younger players who now seem to be growing in confidence with every game.

Lockyer showed his versatility by moving into the back four to cope with the absence of the injured McChrystal and there was a debut for Keary, who was forced into action when Lee Brown’s match was cut short through injury.

It was good to see Clarkson restored to the starting line-up alongside Brunt and his impressive display made his recent exclusion from the side all the more puzzling.

He works most effectively as a foil for a bigger striker so I hope the partnership between him and Brunt will be given time to blossom, as it has the potential to trouble defences and score goals.

It is also encouraging to hear Ward say he is planning more moves in the loan market now that Bond has returned to Colchester following his brief spell with the club.

The decision to recruit him was a strange one, as we are well off for midfielders, so hopefully the manager will now try to find the winger we have been crying out for all season.

We now face Wycombe at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday and a trip to bottom of the table Accrington on Tuesday.

Both games are winnable and a six-point return should be targeted to give our campaign a much-needed boost.

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