Taylor Moore stated that he is ‘incredibly proud’ of his Bristol Rovers team after the Gas drew 1-1 with Wrexham in Sky Bet League One.
The Pirates were looking to return to winning ways after losing six successive fixtures in the third tier and had the lead at half-time courtesy of a clever header from the defender. The Red Dragons forced Jed Ward into several saves on either side of the break and found a leveller 15 minutes from the end, with Matty James striking his effort into the bottom corner.
The hosts had all the momentum, but Rovers stayed strong to earn a draw. The Gas are behind Burton Albion on goal difference, with the Brewers just outside the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Moore was pleased with the result despite his team failing to hold onto their lead and was thankful to the 1,267 Gasheads who made the trip to Wales.
“It’s a positive result,” said the defender. “In the situation we are in at the moment, every point counts. There’s obviously frustration as well. Going 1-0 up the way we did, holding on for a good part of the game and then conceding what we consider a bit of a soft goal. So, it’s a positive result, but there are still little things to improve going into the last few games.”
He later added: “I think, all in all, that was a really good performance from us. We haven’t been pretty all season, and now’s the time that we’re not worried about being pretty, we’re worried about results. I just think the way we battled today and the way we limited Wrexham in their chances and their threats. We worked tirelessly all week. We actually worked really, really hard on dealing with the crosses. We know they are really good at doing that. So, we can actually hold our heads really high.
“The fans that were here created an incredible atmosphere for us as well, and full credit to them. They travelled all that way to help us get over the line. In the last three games, they are going to be massive. I’m incredibly proud of the boys today because that was a battling performance and something that we can take into the next three games.”
It was over five years since Moore scored his last goal, but the defender marked his return to the side with a vital moment. Moore raced onto Matt Butcher’s inviting corner and knocked his attempt across the goal and into the bottom corner to give Rovers the lead. The 27-year-old was pleased to score and stressed the importance of his team gaining a point.
“What a time to do it,” he said. “I think from set-pieces, we thought we could maybe take advantage during the game today. So, we’ve worked on them during the week a little bit. I had a little chat with Romaine Sawyers. He blocked my man, and I managed to get across the front and glance it. Once you’ve glanced it, you’re watching it got into the back of the net, but everything goes in slow motion. I’m absolutely delighted to get my first goal. It’s been a long time coming, but the most important thing is that point. I’m happy about the goal but would have rather taken a win today.”
It has been a frustrating few weeks for the Gas, who have lost their last six fixtures and are without a win since beating Bolton Wanderers in a thrilling 3-2 victory at The Mem. It is not the win Moore wanted, but he believes ending the rotten run will give his team momentum.
“It was very important,” said Moore. “We’ve just said it there as players, and the manager has made it very, very clear, we were on a losing streak, and we had to stop it somehow. Yes, we could have won the game today, but we didn’t lose it. So, it gives us incredible momentum going into the next three games.”
Wrexham are pushing for their third straight promotion this term and knew their fate was in their hands heading into the game against the Gas after an unbeaten run of six matches, but have dropped down to third position, with Wycombe Wanderers beating Bolton Wanderers. After getting a point against one of the favourites for automatic promotion, Moore stressed that the players have got to believe in themselves and backs his side to beat the drop.
“Other teams will be looking over their shoulders,” said Moore. “They’ll be looking at us. I know what it’s like when you go into the dressing room, and you check other scores and other teams' results, and they’ll see that we got a point here away at Wrexham. Not many people probably thought that we would, but our fans did because they came in their numbers.
“We’ve got to believe in ourselves because no one else will believe in us. We’ve got to defend for our lives. We’ve got to put everything on the line now, and there’s no excuses. There’s no hiding place. There are three games to go, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to do it.”
There are only three games left to play this season. With Rovers in the relegation zone on goal difference, the Gas have a massive opportunity to help their fight towards safety with back-to-back fixtures at The Mem. The Pirates host Stevenage on Monday before playing Reading. Moore believes his team will gain momentum from an impressive point and knows all the players are up for the final few fixtures.
“It’s massive,” he said. “I think the momentum taken from this game is going to be huge. We were unlucky against Birmingham. Unlucky against Bolton and came very, very close. Then it’s a disappointing result at home to Exeter, where we all feel we let ourselves down, we let the club down, and we let the fans down.
“But what a way to bounce back today and incredibly important going into Stevenage. It’s going to be another tough game at home, but we know that if we can get the momentum going with the crowd going early on in the game as well, coming to The Mem isn’t easy. We’re up for it. There’s no hiding place, and we’ve made it very, very clear that anyone who’s not on board with this over the next three games has got no part to play at this club.”
