Karl Robinson hails ‘coming of age’ for Salford despite defeat to Bristol Rovers

Manager Karl Robinson believes Salford’s dramatic 2-1 defeat at in-form Bristol Rovers will prove a “coming-of-age” game for his high-flying League Two side.

Robinson leapt to his team’s defence after they were denied a point deep into stoppage time when Rovers goalkeeper Luke Southwood saved skipper Luke Garbutt’s penalty.

It meant there was to be no last-gasp reprieve for Salford, who had gone into the game with the chance of moving to the top of League Two and looked on course for victory when former Rovers midfielder Matt Butcher fired them into a 20th minute lead.

But Rovers hit back in style as goals either side of half-time from Ellis Harrison and Fabrizio Cavegn, coupled with Southwood’s late heroics, earned them a memorable victory.

Robinson, whose side had Haji Mnoga sent off just before the penalty, said: “I think this might have defined us. In what way? It’s the coming of age of Salford.

“I’m telling you, if anything, that has just proved to me how good we are.

“And this is the time for me to stand here in front of you and tell you we’re a good team.

“It’s okay saying that when you win. It’s easy when you win because you’re backed up by the results.

“When you’re not backed up by results, you have to be true to your word. And I think I am.”

Robinson added: “I think from my perspective, you’ve got to respect the opposition. They’ve won and they’ve done everything they could to try and get a result.

“But (the fact) they’re playing at the home of a club who’ve been a lot higher than where we currently are, celebrating the way they did, having only two shots on target, says a lot.

“So congratulations to them winning. But I can say congratulations to my players, even after a defeat.

“It’s been a great month. It could have been perfect, couldn’t it? It wasn’t to be, but I’m a person who sees the positives.”

Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke hailed Southwood for not only denying Garbutt but also doing well to keep out Adebola Oluwo’s follow-up after Luke Thomas had fouled Jorge Grant to concede the spot-kick.

“The best teams have goalkeepers that can win them points and that’s certainly the case for us with Luke,” Clarke said.

“Obviously it’s a team performance today, but Luke, with that moment, that feels really significant.

“He’s earned us some points this week and that illustrates his importance.

“Although he’s not over the hill in any way, I think he’s only about 27, having a goalie that’s experienced good football is vital in our club.

“Luke gives you that seniority, that experience, not only in terms of making saves but also his calmness at the right moments.

“He’s certainly earned his wages the last couple of games, because he had a really strong performance in our 1-1 draw at Colchester midweek.

“To be honest with you there, it just never looked a penalty and now looking back on the screen, I don’t get the decision.

“But when that happens you’re looking for your goalie to pull out a real, real massive moment and the double save was massive.

“And there’s no better way to redeem yourself to the fans than by pulling off a match-winning save like that.”