Coughlan bemoans lack of finishing touch as Rovers held

Graham Coughlan felt his Bristol Rovers team had “the fire, but not the ice” to claim their first win of the season Sky Bet League One season after drawing 0-0 at home to Wycombe.

The Pirates manager was pleased with the way his team battled in blustery conditions but disappointed they did not create more chances.

An instantly forgettable match saw Rovers striker Victor Adeboyejo hit a post with a low shot just before the break, while Wycombe’s Jack Grimmer had a late effort blocked on the line by Tom Davies.

Otherwise, there was little to entertain the Memorial Stadium crowd, as both team bosses were quick to acknowledge.

Coughlan said: “One thing footballers hate is wind and it was difficult out there today. We knew what to expect from Wycombe and they didn’t disappoint us.

“It is always a battle against them and last season we might have lost that game. We fell to a sucker punch the last time they were here and this time we held firm.

“I wanted fire and ice from my players. The fire in the belly was there, but perhaps we lacked the ice coolness to get the ball down and pick the right pass.

“We are a work in progress and there was plenty to be pleased about. We got 20 minutes match play into Jonson Clarke-Harris, who is behind the other players in terms of fitness.

“It was unfortunate to lose Mark Little early in the game. He felt some tightness in a hamstring, but we don’t think it is serious.

“Jonson will get more game time on Tuesday and I will also give some of our youngsters a chance against Cheltenham, but only those who earn it.”

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth began his press conference by telling journalists: “I’m surprised you are all still here after that!”

But he added: “It’s a good point for us. We thought Bristol Rovers would play with a midfield diamond after studying the later stages of their game at Blackpool last weekend and spent a lot of time during the week on countering it.

“To restrict them so effectively was pleasing. It was not a classic by any means and the conditions had something to do with that.

“We are still a small club in this league, even though some investment could be on the horizon, so to stop a home side gaining any momentum was pleasing.

“It ended up a battle and I will always back our boys in that situation. It also backs up a very good result against Bolton last week for which we didn’t receive the credit we deserved.

“I thought we should have had an early penalty and, having seen the incident again, I am even more convinced.

“There were very few chances, but we were the away team and we will take a point and a clean sheet on opposition territory any day of the week in this league.”