It was a fair result to an ugly game – Rovers boss Coughlan

Graham Coughlan praised his improving Bristol Rovers team for “winning ugly” after a deserved success over Rotherham.

A 48th-minute strike from former Millers forward Jonson Clarke-Harris, his seventh league goal of the season, proved the difference between two hard-working sides.

The in-form striker latched onto a long ball over the top from Liam Sercombe and held off his marker to drill an unstoppable left-footed shot past Dan Iverson from 15 yards.

Rotherham forced only a couple of saves of note from Anssi Jaakkola, while Rovers had several opportunities to extend their lead in the closing stages.

Coughlan said: “I thought it was a fair result to an ugly game. There were individual battles all over the pitch and I felt we won most of them.

“Apart from one save at the end, our goalkeeper was not seriously tested and we had enough chances in the second half to win more comfortably.

“The players drive me mad at times, but I couldn’t ask for a better bunch. Trust and faith are two important words to me and I have both in my squad.

“Jonson Clarke-Harris was off it in the first half, but then came up with another vital goal. I love him to bits, although we have our moments!

“The system we are operating is working well, but I don’t rule out changing it at some point because teams will work us out.

“I am always striving for perfection and we were some way short of that. We won’t be getting carried away.”

Iverson made fine saves to deny Sercombe, Tom Nichols and Victor Adeboyejo to keep Rotherham in the match to the end.

At the other end, visiting substitute Matt Olosunde forced a late fingertip save from Jaakkola, but it was one of few telling efforts by Paul Warne’s men.

Warne emerged from a lengthy dressing room inquest to admit: “We were outmuscled. I don’t like saying that about my team, but it is the truth.

“There has been plenty of discussion after the game. I like my sides to get the ball down and play, but frustration set in after the Rovers goal and we lacked that bit of swagger.

“It is down to me to ensure it, so I am not asking anyone to feel sorry for me. What is said inside the dressing room stays there and the best I can say is that we weren’t on our game in the second half.

“Rovers got what they deserved. We have no divine right to come and win at places like this. They have not lost a home league game yet this season.

“They had more than one chance. The one they scored from was inexcusable from our point of view, but there was still 40 minutes left in the game.

“We should have controlled things better and passed the ball from then on, but we didn’t.”