BRISTOL ROVERS’ six-game unbeaten run ground to a shuddering halt with a 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers at the Memorial Stadium last Saturday, writes Stephen Knowlson.

It was no more than Rovers deserved after an appalling performance bereft of guile, effort or creativity against a very average Wycombe side.

Our main attacking threat, Liam Sercombe, was unavailable so manager Graham Coughlan opted to play Stefan Payne up front with Watford loanee Alex Jakubiak.

In a staccato first half neither side managed to create much with far too many unforced errors, sloppy distribution and unimaginative play. Wanderers’ Nick Freeman forced an awkward save from Rovers keeper Jack Bonham on seven minutes and on the half hour mark Gas winger Alex Rodman had a shot tipped around the post, but that was pretty much it in a poor opening period.

The second half wasn’t much better except that Wycombe grew in confidence sensing that a single goal could settle the contest. And that’s exactly what happened. On 57 minutes Sido Jombati headed home a Joe Jacobson corner to give the visitors all three points.

After going behind, it took Rovers 20 minutes to have a shot which is clearly unacceptable for a team at home chasing the game. The only threat we carried up front was from Rodman who had a header cleared off the line with 10 minutes to go.

The performance was strongly reminiscent of those which led to Darrell Clarke leaving the club, which is a huge concern for the new gaffer.

The result plunged us back into the relegation places. The new manager’s honeymoon period is most certainly over and he was clearly angry with what he had seen from his players. It’s evident that we need to recruit at least one striker during the transfer window but good strikers are difficult and expensive to recruit during January.

With Joe Martin returning to parent club Stevenage and Tom Broadbent sold to Swindon, we’re also a bit light in defence should injuries and suspensions take their toll later in the season.

A 3-0 win against Port Vale in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night means we are just one match from a Wembley Final – taking that form into the league is vital if we are to stay up.