Clinton Mola believes Bristol Rovers' performance against Gillingham was much better than previous showings and thought the Gas were unlucky to fall to a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Gills on Saturday afternoon.
The Pirates were in high spirits after an impressive 2-1 victory over Bromley in the Emirates FA Cup, hoping to make it back-to-back wins in all competitions after a disappointing October.
The Gas created chances on either side of half-time, but conceded a second-half stunner from Max Clark, who made up for failing to convert a penalty before the break.
Mola reflected on the game that he felt his side should have won before emphasising that football is all about the results.
“It is a step in the right direction," he said. "I think we played miles better. There was a performance today, but it was just unlucky, nine times out of ten we’d probably get something out of the game and we probably win the game.
“But football is a game of results, and we were on the wrong side of it today. It’s unlucky.”
The Pirates had 17 shots and the majority of the possession, but could not find a way past Jake Turner. Stephan Negru turned the ball over the bar with a close-range effort, and Fabrizio Cavegn saw his one-on-one strike saved before the break.
After the restart, Alfie Chang had a curling shot pushed away by the goalkeeper before flashing a low strike just past the post. Heading into stoppage time, Turner then produced his best save of the lot to push Kamil Conteh's header onto the bar.
Then, when Turner was finally beaten, with Freddie Issaka driving his low shot past him, a defender was in the way to clear the ball off the line.
"I think we created the chances today, I think we played really well," said Mola. "We dominated the ball, but we couldn’t put it in the end, and there lad has scored a worldie as well. It’s just one of those days.”
"They cleared the shots off the line, we hit the crossbar. All of our shots were on target as well. We just couldn’t get one in today.
“I think the last couple of days, we’ve shown that we can play, we’ve shown that we’re a team that’s capable of getting on the ball, but today again it’s just one of those days.
“We dominated them, we dominated every aspect of the game, and then we were just unlucky with the result.”
Mola has been in and out of Rovers' squad this campaign, but has started the last two matches in the Pirates' defence and is just two games away from 50 appearances for the Club in all competitions.
With plenty of games in the EFL, every player will get their chance to prove themselves, with Mola insisting he will keep focusing on working hard to help the Club turn their run of difficult results around.
"I just want to get my head down and keep working and just keep playing for the team, playing for the club and just keep getting opportunities to play," said the defender. "But we’ve got to pick up points and get some wins, and I just want to help the team do that.”
Gasheads pushed the team right until the end and showed the players support at full-time for their unwavering effort on the pitch. Mola appreciated the support of the fans, who got behind the team all the way.
"I think the fans were really good today, and they’ve shown that at the end," he said. "I think we’ve shown that with the performance as well.
“That’s why they got behind us. It’s just unlucky today, but it’s just one of those ones, where next week we need to put it right.”
