Paul Trollope said the failure to take three points against Crewe Alexandra this afternoon was "disappointing".

The first team coach watched his team serve up a much-improved defensive display, but just fail to find a way through a stubborn Crewe back line.

"We're disappointed we didn't win the game," Paul told bristolrovers.co.uk, "Crewe are one of the sides around us in the league, and taking the three points was first and foremost on our minds.

"We had chances and a fair bit of pressure as well, and had it not been for some good goalkeeping and some bad finishing we would have scored a goal or two.

"We didn't quite get the breakthrough, and it wasn't the result we wanted. But it's another small step forward for us."

Rovers played with a slightly different formation today, with Stuart Campbell operating in front of the back four.

"The area in front of the back four has been the issue for us," said Paul, "We tweaked the formation slightly, and had Stuart Campbell playing just in front of the defence.

"A lot of things in that respect worked well, and we're very happy to have kept a clean sheet after the run of results we've had without one."

Referee Richard Beeby had a poor game in charge, and frustrated Paul after missing a blatant shirt pull on Darryl Duffy.

"I saw shirt pulling from where I was, but the referee came over and said he didn't see the incident," he said, "I think in situations like that, assistants have to help out.

"There was an incident at the other end when Darryl Duffy handled the ball and he was waving like mad, but not for us. When it comes to controversial moments when you need them to play their part, I don't think assistants do enough to help."

Both Ryan Green and Steve Elliott were forced off injured during the 90 minutes, but Paul is hopeful neither will be out for long.

"Ryan has a recurrence of his hamstring injury which is a blow because he's only just come back," he said, "Hopefully it isn't too serious and will only mean a couple of weeks out.

"Steve Elliott has a dead leg after a collision for a 50/50 ball. It was a tackle between two big lads, so we'll assess his situation over the next few days."