There’s no sugar-coating it, it’s been a dreadful week for Bristol Rovers.

Last Wednesday the 21 November, Rovers entertained National League Barnet in an FA Cup first-round replay at the Memorial Stadium. The Gas were in the ascendancy for much of the first half and should have led but Kyle Bennett struck the post with the goal at his mercy.

After a goal drought lasting over a year, Tom Nichols put us ahead converting Bennett’s cross shortly after the hour mark but Gasheads’ joy was to be short-lived. The Bees stung us with a quick-fire brace; first a chip from Robson on the 75th minute followed two minutes later by Harrison’s far post tap-in. For the third year in a row, Rovers had been dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league opposition.

On Saturday Rovers travelled up to The Valley to take on promotion-chasing Charlton. After just 10 minutes Jamie Ward put the Londoners in front before Joe Martin equalised with a sweet drive from 20 yards. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to make it to the break without conceding again as Aribo’s header put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time.

Despite plenty of effort Rovers were unable to find the quality for an equaliser and the points were wrapped up as Grant scored Charlton’s third in injury time. Yet another defeat dumped us in the relegation places.

Tuesday saw fellow strugglers Gillingham visit the Mem and a familiar tale of woe played out in front of just 6583 fans.

Another weak start was punished by List’s eighth minute goal and Rovers huffed and puffed in the first half without troubling the Gills keeper.

Callum Reilly capitalised on poor defending to put the visitors two up in the 59th minute before being dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Liam Sercombe 10 minutes later.

The extra man finally sparked Rovers into life but despite Sercombe’s best efforts, including an 87th minute goal, striking the post and forcing several decent saves, we were unable to equalise.

Now Rovers are in real trouble four points from safety and unless our hapless strikers start producing the goods soon, I fear for Darrell Clarke’s future and our League One survival.