Bristol Rovers' seven-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat to Walsall on Saturday, but Alfie Kilgour stressed the team is together and already has eyes on the next project.
The Pirates had won five of their seven fixtures in the fourth tier heading to the league leaders and gained the lead through Fabrizio Cavegn's first-half finish, but a second-half brace from Aaron Pressley helped the Saddlers to all three points.
Darrell Clarke made several changes after the restart to try to switch the momentum in Rovers' favour. However, the Gas could not find a way into the contest and fell to their first defeat since the middle of August.
Kilgour described how the squad are disappointed with their unbeaten streak coming to an end but ensured that everyone is together and all eyes are already on the next project in an attempt to bounce back.
"It’s gut-wrenching as a group of lads when you’re on that winning run and you want to keep that going every game," he said. "Unfortunately, today, where we have been good, if we can’t win them, you don’t lose them. Whereas, today we sunk in a little bit and conceded the two goals. So, we’re disappointed with that.
"Ideally, we would have taken a draw in the second half, so it’s tough, but we'll bounce back. We’re together as a group, we’ve got each other's backs, and we’ll be out there on Monday training like always and onto a new project."
The Pirates showed their confidence with a dominant display in the opening 45 minutes, controlling proceedings and scoring the opener through Cavegn, whilst also reducing Walsall to very little in the final third. However, some tactical tweaks from the hosts at half-time turned the tide of the contest. Pressley's double was enough for Walsall, with goalkeeper Myles Roberts, who spent a period of last season on loan at the Pirates, left untroubled.
Kilgour assessed Rovers' second-half display and lifted the lid on what changed.
"We’re disappointed with the second half," said Kilgour. "I think in the first half, we dominated the game, got our rewards through a goal from Fabrizio and then in the second half, it was disappointing. We sank in, got put under pressure a little bit with the sun and the swirling wind, and they took full advantage of that and put it down on us.
"Unfortunately, that’s probably why they are top of the league. They had two or three chances and scored two goals. So, we’re disappointed, but we look back, we reflect, we work on it, and we go again next week.
"They made some changes, and you could see that they worked out there press a little bit better on where we were getting joy through getting out with our full backs. So, it left us in a little bit of a predicament where we had to go a little bit longer, which played into their hands. So, they’re a good side, they’re a good squad and they’ve got good players, and they’ve got gamechangers, which is what they did."
The Pirates might have lost, but one thing that did continue was Cavegn's scoring form in front of the goal. The 23-year-old struck for the fourth straight game in Sky Bet League Two, collecting Ellis Harrison's pass before rolling a low strike into the bottom corner.
Cavegn now has six goals for the Gas in all competitions, with Kilgour proud of the striker and the way he has adapted to new surroundings.
"Fabrizio has done really well," said the centre-back. "Obviously, he’s come in, it’s a change of country as well, and it’s a big ask for a young lad like that to come and move to England, away from his family and things. But he’s getting to grips with League Two.
"Obviously, it’s a lot more physical, and he’s working it out. I’m super proud of him; he’s a great lad, and he works hard day in, day out on the training pitch, and it’s coming to fruition. So, I’m proud of him, and it was his sixth goal of the season, so long may it continue, and we’re right behind him."
Over 2,000 Gasheads filled the away end at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium and were loud throughout the contest. Kilgour was delighted with the support and is aiming to give the fans something to celebrate in the coming weeks.
“Unbelievable support,” said Kilgour. “Gasheads always travel well and they’re right behind us. It’s what we need, it’s the 12th man and it gets us through games. So, to see them at the end there still clapping us off, still singing, it’s testament to them and we appreciate everything, travelling up and getting behind us goes a long way and we hope to repay them this season and give them something to celebrate.”
