Bristol Rovers’ rustiness in front of goal will soon change, according to first-team coach Andy Mangan, as the Gas drew a second Sky Bet League One game in succession.
With Rovers boss Joey Barton completing a three-match ban, a pulsating game against Barnsley somehow ended in a 1-1 draw.
Both sides squandered plenty of chances, with John Marquis and Aaron Collins passing up gilt-edged opportunities to net in the first half with just opposition goalkeeper Liam Roberts to beat.
“I’ve seen games like that before. We’re frustrated to not get all three points. We dominated the game, but there are areas we need to get better at. When those chances come we need to take them. Today we haven’t,” said Mangan after the game.
“Everyone [Rovers supporters] should go away feeling unlucky that we haven’t got all three points. But if an alien came out of Mars, or something, and watched the game they’d think we were the play-off final team from today’s match.
“On another day, which will happen, we’ll score four, five or six goals. Everyone realises we’ve got a proper side this season. We need to get better on the training ground. We can be miles better.
“We’re a team in transition. Positive signs there but we were just unfortunate.”
Barnsley boss Neill Collins professed himself happy at a haul of four points from their first two League One games of the season, if also leaving Bristol frustrated.
The Tykes took the lead through Nicky Cadden’s seventh-minute near-post blast before Rovers substitute Scott Sinclair equalised with nine minutes remaining.
“It’s frustrating when you lose a goal in the 81st minute but we brought a lot of pressure on ourselves,” said Collins. “I thought Bristol responded to going a goal behind and we responded again prior to half-time.
“We looked like a team who could get another goal but in the second half we didn’t do enough positive things when we had the ball and we didn’t disrupt possession enough against the ball and that allowed them to gather momentum.
“And the biggest disappointment was the way we lost the goal. But all in all, lots to be pleased with and lots to build and learn from.
“When you pass the ball to them straight from a corner and things like that, it’s not a good feeling.
“At times it was a little bit of individual error, but we don’t want to be giving up chances. This is a tough place to come at the best of times and coming here for the first home game of the season, we’ve got to accept the point and learn from this.”
Simeone insists Atletico 'cannot stop pushing' after narrow Mallorca win
Diego Simeone insists Atletico Madrid "cannot stop pushing" in their pursuit of Champions League qualification after a narrow 1-0 victory over Mallorca.
Los Rojiblancos tightened their grip on fourth place in LaLiga, with Rodrigo Riquelme's fine individual effort in the fifth minute enough to secure back-to-back wins.
With four games remaining, Simeone's side moved onto 67 points, six clear of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who they beat 3-1 last weekend.
The Atleti boss was thrilled by his players' performance levels, but has urged them not to rest on their laurels.
"The team interpreted the plan very well," he said. "The commitment was incredible from [Angel] Correa to [Jan] Oblak to play an intelligent game from a defensive point of view.
"After the goal, we controlled the game. We defended as a team and did a great job. We need to continue improving, and we can't stop pushing until the season is over."
Echoing his manager's thoughts, defender Axel Witsel told Movistar Plus+: "It was very important to win. We wanted to win and stay six points ahead. We have to keep it up.
"After Riquelme scored a fantastic goal, we managed to stay well-organised to secure the result."
'It hurts to lose' - Inzaghi apologises after Sassuolo defeat
Simone Inzaghi admits "it hurts to lose" following Inter's surprise 1-0 defeat by relegation-threatened Sassuolo.
The newly crowned Scudetto winners suffered only their second loss of the season in Serie A, as Armand Lauriente's first-half goal was enough to give the 19th-place hosts victory at Mapei Stadium.
Sassuolo, who boosted their survival hopes, subsequently completed the league double over the Nerazzurri, having also prevailed 2-1 at San Siro in September.
Meanwhile, Inter were beaten by a team in the bottom two for the first time since November 2014, with Inzaghi urging his players not to be distracted by their title triumph.
"We started sluggish and didn’t have the right approach to the game," he told Sky Sports Italia. "I'm sorry for the defeat, but credit must be given to Sassuolo for a performance of great effort and sacrifice.
"It's right to enjoy [our Scudetto victory], but there are still three games to go and we have to focus. It hurts to lose, and it should hurt."
After guiding Inter to their 20th Serie A crown, Inzaghi is hopeful he can keep the majority of his squad intact ahead of next season.
However, the Nerazzurri boss did emphasise the club's need to strengthen before launching their Scudetto defence.
"I already told the club that I want to go into next season with all the players I had this term, not losing a single one," he said. "Considering all the games we need to play and the length of the season, we do need a bigger squad."
Inter Miami 6-2 New York Red Bulls: Messi makes more MLS history as Suarez scores hat-trick
Lionel Messi had a hand in all six goals while Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as Inter Miami overcame the New York Red Bulls 6-2 at Chase Stadium.
The Eastern Conference leaders were on a three-match winning streak in MLS, but fell behind to Dante Vanzeir's opener in the 30th minute.
However, the hosts turned the match on its head after the break, with Messi assisting a brace for half-time substitute Matias Rojas either side of getting on the scoresheet himself.
Suarez then took centre stage with a hat-trick inside 13 minutes - all assisted by his former Barcelona team-mate - while Emil Forsberg's stoppage-time penalty was a mere consolation for the visitors, who are now without a win in four.
Data debrief
Messi broke two more MLS records following yet another inspirational display for the Herons.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's six goal contributions and five assists were both the most recorded by a player in a single game.
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