Peterborough manager Evans: Players have given me absolutely everything

Peterborough boss Steve Evans said his revamped side had “hearts the size of King Kong and Big Ben” after watching them kick off their League One campaign with victory over Bristol Rovers.

Evans’ team – which featured nine debutants with another two later arriving from the bench – survived a late scare to triumph 2-1 at a sweltering ABAX Stadium.

Evans said: “I shook the hand of every player as they walked into the dressing room after the game as they have given me absolutely everything they have from the first minute we met up in pre-season.

“We have hearts the size of King Kong and Big Ben compared to what we were missing last season.”

Two of the club’s summer signings, Matt Godden and Mark O’Hara, opened their Posh goal accounts with classy first-half headers to put the hosts in command.

Posh rarely looked like adding to their tally and never appeared to be in much danger of conceding either until Rovers finished with a charge in stoppage time.

Captain Tom Lockyer pounced from point-blank range to halve Rovers’ arrears and prompt a nervy climax as the hosts held on for maximum points.

Evans added: “There’s always a mixed bag of results on the opening day of the season. Throw in nine debutants and 90 degree heat and it was always going to be a challenge for us, so I’m very happy with three points.

“We were absolutely terrific in the first half, but we know a game is never finished at 2-0. Some of the inconsistencies we saw from ourselves in the second half are understandable given we have made so many changes.”

Rovers boss Darrell Clarke let rip at his players after suffering a losing start for a sixth successive season.

He said: “I can’t take any positives from the game unfortunately. I picked the team and the system, so I have to hold responsibility.

“We had more of the play and we had more chances, but that counts for nothing when we lose the game.

“We worked really hard all pre-season to make sure we got off to a good start and I really fancied our chances.

“To concede so early was a disaster. We didn’t stop a cross into the box and that shouldn’t happen.

“We also have to defend their second goal a bit better even though it was a good header.

“I thought we were losing the tag of being a bit soft and a bit flaky away from home, but sadly it was there in abundance again in the first 30 minutes and it won’t be accepted.”