Steve Evans rues lost points despite seeing Posh climb into play-off places

Posted Sunday, March 25, 2018 by PA

Steve Evans saw Peterborough climb back into the Sky Bet League One play-off places but admitted his side dropped two points against Bristol Rovers.

Posh came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw and rise into sixth spot in the standings, but their manager was disappointed to have to settle for a share of the spoils.

Evans saw his side fall behind in the 55th minute when Tony Craig tucked away his first Rovers goal after seeing his initial effort cleared off the line by Posh captain Anthony Grant.

Peterborough responded quickly as Danny Lloyd was picked out by a Marcus Maddison cross to fire his 13th goal of the campaign.

The home side then looked the likeliest winners as Jack Marriott saw a fine chance deflected wide before Junior Morias headed against the outside of a post.

And Evans was also seething to see a strong Maddison penalty appeal turned down after he was felled in the box.

Evans said: “I thought we started really brightly for 25 minutes and we had real control of the game.

“We were overrunning them to such an extent that they had to change their system and make a substitution in the first half.

“The only disappointing aspect is that we didn’t show the quality we’re blessed with in the final third often enough. I think it goes down as two points dropped personally.

“Goals change games and we conceded a very poor one from a set piece, but it was followed by a fantastic reaction.

“We probably should have scored again and I’ll never know how an elbow in Marcus’ face is not a penalty. Overall we’re disappointed not to have won the game.”

Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke also cut a frustrated figure following the ABAX Stadium clash, but he saluted the display of goalscorer Craig.

“Tony was excellent,” said Clarke. “He led the team out there at times and it was good to see him get a goal.

“But I’m frustrated with the performance we produced. We were slightly better in the second half, but we got nowhere near the standard we have set for ourselves.

“We kept giving the ball away too cheaply and that allowed Peterborough to push us back, but we would have lost that game earlier in the season.

“It was vital we got something from it to keep ourselves in the hunt and we did that ahead of a big Easter period, but we’ve got to be a lot better on the ball.”