Ryan Howley was proud of Bristol Rovers' performance against Notts County on his return to the Gas.
The midfielder has played 13 times for the Pirates this campaign, but his appearance off the bench against the Magpies was his first in the blue-and-white quarters since December, with the 22-year-old moving on loan to National League outfit Tamworth.
However, with his loan over and the former Covenyty City man back from injury, he played a part in Rovers' 1-1 draw away at Notts. The hosts were playing for an automatic promotion spot and knew only a win would give them a chance, so they threw everything they had at the Pirates.
Despite Nick Tsaroulla's opener for the Magpies, they could not build on their advantage, with Ellis Harrison levelling in the second half and Rovers having chances to win it before Jacob Bedeau saw a possible winner ruled out for offside.
Speaking to BRTV after the match, Howely was pleased his side could extend their unbeaten run and reflected on a mixed season.
Ryan, the points are shared today. How do you look back on it?
"Yeah, it's a good result against a top team that were fighting to get into the automatic places, and we performed well today. We got a draw and stopped them doing that and kept our unbeaten run going."
Ellis’ goal was a top finish from a close angle, wasn’t it?
"Yeah, from where I was sitting as well, the technique to do that. The ball as well from Tommy was top. Ellis has been in good form, scoring. It's a great finish for him."
When did you know that you were going to be in the squad today?
"Yesterday, the gaffer pulled me after training. Obviously, my loan with Tamworth has finished this week, so I was back available for selection. The gaffer spoke to me yesterday and just let me know that I was going to be part of the squad today."
What's Steve been like since you've been back from Tamworth?
"Really good, to be fair, the whole way through. You know, I've been a bit of Tamworth, a bit of here, sort of in between. He's been great with me. He's been very honest, very open, and we've had a good relationship. Hopefully, I repaid a bit of the faith today in my little cameo."
A bit further forward, what did that sort of make you have to do?
"I've played there before. A bit more of a threat going forward. There are a lot of balls hit up, challenging for headers and stuff, running off second balls.
"There was a chance that got blocked, unfortunately, but we had some good chances to go on and win the game."
It felt like, at one point, only one team would win the game. Does that show that the team has plenty of confidence when you go behind, it's not over? You've always got an opportunity to take one point, maybe three.
"Yeah, definitely. I think when you’re in a form that we've had, you don't do that if you're not a good team. Eight wins on the spin, coming against another top team today, even though we went 1-0 down, for Ellis to get the goal back and then for us to be the team more likely to win it, credit to the lads."
You said you've been here and there with Tamworth. The bits you've seen from inside the changing room, what'sthe mentality been like?
"Really good. Obviously, it's a winning feeling and winning breeds confidence. It's a good group anyway. The lads that came in in January have gelled really well, and it's a good, strong group going into next year."
And playing in front of 1,800 gasheads must have been a special feeling as well today.
"Yeah, all season, even when we've not been great, they’ve always followed us, always made noise. I think you heard it today when Ellis scored. They're so loud, even if we're drawing or getting a winner, you know, they're always behind us, which is definitely appreciated by the players."
You mentioned your loan spell at Tamworth was interrupted by injury, but how did you find that experience?
"Yeah, I sort of hit the ground running. I went in and played a lot of games really quickly, which probably contributed to the injury. But yeah, I really enjoyed it.
"I was getting a lot of minutes, a lot of good minutes. I think I was playing well. I really enjoyed my time there, and hopefully that's going to help me moving forward."
Minutes here and minutes at Tamworth as well. Overall, for the season, how do you reflect on it?
"It's a bit of an up and down one, obviously. You know, the start of the season, I was getting starts and game time, a little bit interrupted by injury again, and obviously, you know, the change of manager, the situation we were in, it was quite tough for me.
"But as I say, since the gaffer has come in, he's been honest. We had a chat when he came in about what's the best thing for me to do between now and the end of the season.
"I think it's gone as well as it could have been, really. I've got game time there, I've come back here, and I played today. So, yeah, it's been good."
You mentioned a couple of injuries there. How do you feel in your body?
"Yeah, really good. I’ve been back fit for a few weeks now. I had a really good rehab with the medical team, trying to identify what could be done to maybe prevent it from going forward. So hopefully a good off-season, get myself fit, ready to go for next season."
