Luke McCormick was pleased to make his second Sky Bet League One start this season in Bristol Rovers’ 1-1 draw with Lincoln City at The Memorial Stadium.
The Gas broke the deadlock in the first half through Shaq Forde, who won possession in the Imps’ half before curling his strike into the bottom corner on his return to the team. However, Lincoln claimed a draw after Jack Moylan’s leveller.
McCormick was one of three players who came into the team on Saturday, rewarding him for his assist off the bench against Weston-super-Mare the week before. It was his first start in the third tier since the Pirates' 2-1 away loss to Barnsley at the beginning of September.
McCormick was happy to be back in the team after working hard in training.
“I was delighted to start,” he said. “As a footballer, that’s all you want to do. It’s been frustrating, but that’s football, and when you get your opportunity, you’ve got to take it. So, hopefully, I’ve done that.
“There’s only one way you can go about it in my eyes. Just get your head down and keep working.”
Saturday was a battle between a Rovers team looking for their third successive home league win at The Memorial Stadium against an Imps side with only one defeat in 15 away outings in the third tier. McCormick had mixed feelings about the match.
“It was frustrating not to get over the line with three points,” stated the midfielder. “I thought it was a tough game, and obviously, they are flying high. I think a point on reflection isn’t a bad one if we can take three on Saturday.
“But I think we were well within the game. We played well and started well. It was disappointing to concede, but we held on and had a few chances at the end.
“It turned a little bit scrappy when it got to 1-1, and both teams probably lost a little bit of control. But it was a good game of football. We take a point and hopefully can turn it into a four-point week.
McCormick has been at the Club permanently since 2022 and is one of the more experienced players in the squad after the Gas made 16 signings in the summer. The midfielder believes there are plenty of good characters and was pleased with the support at The Memorial Stadium.
“Lincoln are flying high and are where we want to be,” said McCormick. “I don’t think we’re far off it. We got a good reception from the fans today, so I think they appreciated the work, input and intent we had today.
“So long may that continue because when it gets bouncing, it’s brilliant.”
He later added: “It does take time to gel. But for me, it’s a group of great boys and good players. So, it’s a matter of time before we go on a run and really start producing.”
