Clinton Mola insisted Bristol Rovers were unlucky not to come away with anything after losing 2-1 to Barnsley in Sky Bet League One.
Ruel Sotiriou netted his first goal for the Gas after signing from Leyton Orient in the summer to cancel out Davis Keillor-Dunn's debut goal for the Tykes.
However, the hosts collected all three points after Adam Phillips powered his header beyond Josh Griffiths.
Mola suggested that his team put all their efforts into the contest and could have gained at least a draw on another day.
“It was disappointing,” said Mola. “The boys put everything into the game, and we were just unlucky not to come away with anything. On another day, we would at least get a point out of the game.”
Barnsley started quickly and took a deserved lead after creating many chances to break the deadlock. Sotiriou then scored against the run of play, making the most of a defensive mistake to roll his shot into an empty net.
Mola knew what to expect from Darrell Clarke’s men and believed they got through a difficult period.
“Coming to these types of grounds, you know what you’re going to get,” said the defender. “They’re always going to start fast and look to play in our box.
“I think in the first 25 minutes, you have to weather the storm, and when we got the opportunity, we took it.
“The beginning of the second half was alright as well. It felt like an open game. On another day, we do things differently, and we get at least a point.”
Barnsley’s quick start was nullified well by Josh Griffiths, who twice denied Barry Cotter in the early exchanges, making six saves across the match.
The shot-stopper has already kept three clean sheets this campaign, with Mola impressed with the West Bromwich Albion loanee.
“Josh was excellent,” he said. “We defended our box well, and they didn’t have many clear chances. In the end, it’s that lapse of concentration and the next thing you know, it’s in the back of the net.”
Gatlin O’Donkor and Shaq Forde joined the Pirates on the final day of the transfer window and made an appearance off the bench against Barnsley, with the latter of the duo making his debut.
Mola is happy for the pair and believes it will not be long until they make a difference for the Gas.
“It’s good for them both to put on the shirt, come to grounds like this and see how it is,” he said. “When we’re back at The Mem, they’ll feel more comfortable, and I’m sure they’ll make an impact straight away.”
“The Mem is a fortress; we’ve just got to keep it going and take it game by game. Our next match is at home, so we know the crowd will be our fans and be behind us already.”
