Post-Match Verdict: Paul Warne Vs Bristol Rovers (A)

Head Coach Paul Warne was in an understandably frustrated mood following Derby County’s late 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers.

Derby's hopes of breaking back into the Sky Bet League One’s top six with a win were dashed by Antony Evans' stoppage-time penalty at the Memorial Stadium.

Warne’s side were heading for victory thanks to David McGoldrick's well-taken early strike, his 22nd goal of the season, until the fifth minute of stoppage time as Harvey White was adjudged to have fouled Evans, who then scored from the spot.

Warne spoke to RamsTV after the final whistle to offer his verdict on the meeting with Joey Barton’s side with just four league matches remaining in the 2022/23 season.

On Conceding Late On And The Penalty…

I’m obviously raging. Their manager said to me at the end he felt it wasn’t a penalty and a foul on our player. Harvey White got himself in a good position and cannot see for the life of me why the Referee would give that penalty. Harvey, bless his heart, is devastated. We didn’t have much control today in terms of the game and I thought Bristol Rovers were really good and they made it very difficult for us. I’m not saying their play didn’t deserve a point, though, but we limited them to very little in terms of chances and if they did have any it was because of our bad play rather than themcarving us open. Our job isn’t to come here and entertain the crowd away from home, we wanted to win. I thought we looked a bit jaded and we made changes in the second half. Everyone has worked so hard and I feel for them all today because they didn’t deserve that and we knew a win would have got us back in the playoff places. I know I sound like a sore loser, but I am not. I accept they were better than us in major parts of the game but away from home it is about picking up the points and not being the better side.

On The Defensive Display…

This is League One and today was a typical League One game. When you come away from home you have to win the fight, you have to match their aggression and limit them to as few chances as you can. You have to take your chances too when they come and we had some in both halves. It is about winning, getting a clean sheet and getting on the coach home. I feel that has been taken away from us with what I believe is a joke of a decision. It is heartbreaking. We had something to hang on to and sometimes when that’s the case it has to be an ugly game and not enjoyable.

On Having A Siege Mentality And Going Again…

We need to use that sense that everything is against us in the final four games and take it head on. I knew we could have gone into the top six today and, all of a sudden, things feel really good if that happens. It feels like everything is against us right now. I can’t ask for more from the lads than they’re giving me. The lads are raging in the changing room and we need to go again at Exeter on Tuesday, that’s all we can do. This is our lives; we eat, sleep and drink this team and it’s in our thoughts all week. I feel we’ve had two points, which are like gold, taken off us. I’m hugely frustrated but I am positive about the fact we’re still close to the top six; I’m just frustrated with how today ended.