Luke McCormick insisted that Bristol Rovers will look to bounce back from their 3-2 defeat to Peterborough United on Saturday.
The Posh led 3-0 after goals from Kwame Poku, Ricky-Jade Jones and Malik Mothersille, but Matt Taylor's men refused to let the game fizzle out.
McCormick and Gatlin O'Donkor scored two quick goals to pressurise the hosts, but Peterborough survived a wave of Rovers attacks and ten minutes of additional time to claim the victory.
McCormick made his 100th Rovers appearance at the weekend. He was pleased with the reaction and the impact of the substitutes. However, the midfielder admitted his side gave themselves too much to do.
“It was strange in terms of conceding two goals quite early on,” he said. “I think the response in the second half was good, but we must try our best to get a foothold in the game and not leave ourselves such a mountain to climb. But the reaction was positive.
“I think we got the first two goals in quick succession. You see what that did to Peterborough, but they are a strong side, especially at home. We need to bounce back and try to get some results in the next three.
McCormick has played five of the Pirates’ seven games in Sky Bet League One this season, with his only start coming against Barnsley.
He was delighted to make an impact off the bench, insisting that is the main aim of any player coming off the bench.
“When you’re coming on and you’re two or three goals down, obviously your aim is to score and impact the game positively,” he said. “I think the substitutes did that and the boys that were still on the pitch.
“That’s all you can do at any stage if you’re coming on as a substitute because you want to play, and you’ve got to try and impact the game positively.
“Scoring a goal is obviously the best feeling. You would rather it be a winner, but I’m injury-free. I feel positive and as good as I’ve felt in a Rovers shirt. I want to stake my place in the team, and hopefully, I can keep it.”
McCormick was also delighted for Kofi Shaw, with the academy graduate making his first league start for the Gas against Peterborough.
“I would like to say I am buzzing for young Kofi Shaw,” he said. “He really surprised me in pre-season, and he deserved to play.
“It’s a bit of a baptism of fire, but he’s got character and is someone that really deserved to play. Hopefully, you see him a lot more in a Rovers shirt.”
Rovers now have back-to-back games at The Memorial Stadium and are up against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday before playing Charlton Athletic three days later.
McCormick insisted that the squad are aiming for consistency and will achieve their target if they keep working hard.
“We’ve had a couple of sticky results recently but we’re a very together group,” said McCormick. “We’ll get back on the training pitch on Monday and keep working. That’s the only thing we can do.
“Consistency is key and that’s what we’ll be aiming to do and if we keep working hard that’s what we’ll get.”
