In Sky Bet League Two, Bristol Rovers came dangerously close to drawing with Chesterfield, but head coach Darrell Clarke is certain his team should have gained a point.
Against one of the top-ranked teams in the fourth division, the Pirates played a strong first-half defence.
But shortly after Joel Senior was given a questionable red card for allegedly bringing down Armando Dobra, who was sprinting through on goal, they fell down thanks to a header from Tom Naylor.
After halftime, Isaac Hutchinson gave the Gas a well-earned equaliser off the bench, but the Pirates were unable to maintain a tie. The Spireites won the fourth division for the third time in a row after Kyle McFadzean's header went past Luke Southwood and Dobra's late goal three minutes later.
Clarke expressed his dissatisfaction with the loss and acknowledged that his team should have done a better job of defending the goals in an interview with BRTV following the match.
So, Darrell, you lost today at Chesterfield. What do you think about that?
We're having a difficult afternoon. I have to be careful what I say to avoid getting into trouble. In the first half, we had to establish ourselves as a formidable possession-based squad.
From a corner, they had one chance. Promise gave us a fantastic opportunity, but the choice altered the rules of the game. I think it's really, really, really soft. We may be in some trouble if it is not properly officiated, even if you put in all of your effort and materials.
Doesn't everything alter during the 60 seconds with the goal and the red card?
Naturally, it does, but that doesn't justify me when we reach a 1-1 draw. That has to do with mindset. We get back into the game, and it's a mentality thing to think it's enough, which is why I'm so mad at the group for that. It is insufficient. We ought to leave with a point. We must defend.
"We must take action, and it is unacceptable to let up a goal from a set-piece. They then counterattack to score the third goal, but the team needs to learn from those game-changing situations fast. The sooner we accomplish it, the sooner this Club will adopt the mindset I desire.
Promise gave us a fantastic opportunity, but the choice altered the rules of the game. I think it's really, really, really soft. You can do all of your work and other tasks, but if it won't be conducted correctly,
Darrell Clarke
Isaac Hutchinson scoring his first goal of the season must be one of the bright spots.
"When we lose 3-1, I don't see any bright spots. How can we be optimistic when we received 0 points? The boys have grafted hard and fought hard. That's evident from the fans' support for the players, but I don't want that mindset on my squad. When you've put in a lot of effort, you win 1-1 rather than throwing away those final two points."
When you levelled, did you think you would continue and at least make that point?
"We just need to play good defence because we know that [Chesterfield] has guys who can damage you off the bench when they change things. We must guard the moments, but we failed to do so.
What components will create a team that you want to watch?
"They develop those bonds more the more you play together and collaborate with the group. There isn't a simple solution.
That will never be the case, which is why many teams start to suffer after losing. We've experienced a particularly bad three games of the league campaign with no points earned, but there's usually that slight hangover phase. Therefore, we must inspire the group and return on Tuesday."
The match versus Oldham on Tuesday is going to be very important.
"Every match is important. We regret not getting anything from the game today, and there were undoubtedly a few things that went wrong. We must give our followers something in return. Today, our fans were outstanding. I think it's the mindset, but you've seen the response following the game.
"I believe there is a bit of a long hangover from last year, which is why I keep talking about mentality in the group. The new guys, in my opinion, are attempting to become settled, which takes time.
We need to get the balance of that correct, and winning football games gives you that. We can start moving forward and looking up the standings when we win the first game, which should be Tuesday night.
It was Kacper Łopata's first appearance. It must have been somewhat of a rush to get him in.
"Yes, it has been. We needed another strong center-half after losing Connor Taylor in the summer. I know Kacper, a boy, very well. He is in charge. He is combative. He is victorious. Hopefully, that makes the group stronger.
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