Steve Evans insists Bristol Rovers are still in a relegation fight

Steve Evans is not taking anything for granted after Bristol Rovers’ 2-0 win at relegation rivals Barrow left them nine points above the League Two drop zone.

Tommy Leigh’s third goal in two games put Rovers in front after 27 minutes.

And top scorer Fabrizio Cavegn’s 15th of the season in all competitions settled the game after 56 minutes to leave Barrow out of the bottom two only on goal difference.

“I thought we were fantastic,” said Rovers manager Evans. “Our performance was fluent, dominant, full of good passing and good movement.

“Barrow got away lightly at 2-0. But I have reminded the players nothing is done yet.

“We were in a perilous situation when we walked in. And we are still in a relegation fight now.

“Let’s not forget that. We have got to get back on the horse at Bromley on Saturday.”

Leigh converted a Jack Sparkes cross at the far post to go with his double in last weekend’s win over Crewe.

“I thought Tommy’s finish was fantastic,” Evans added. “Not many players on that pitch would have scored that goal.

“But his all-round play was fantastic. And I am pleased for Fab he got a goal because he is coming back from a knock.”

Evans did not make a substitution in the game, explaining: “I thought we were so far in control of the game.

“Had we got a third goal I would have made as many changes as possible. But the boys looked as though they were enjoying it despite the conditions.”

Cavegn slid in to convert a shot from Joel Senior and nearly made it 3-0 soon afterwards.

Wyll Stanway’s save kept Barrow in the game and Danny Rose and Tyler Walker forced Brad Young into late saves. Lewis Shipley miscued an even better chance such was the Cumbrians’ woes.

Barrow were jeered off at half and full-time.

Manager Dino Maamria said: “Sometimes I want to boo the players as well.

“I understand their frustration. I think we all know the problems. It is my job to fix them.

“I have got to find a way to put a team out there to represent the town of Barrow. The first rule as a team is you have to compete and we didn’t do that in the first half.

“That performance hurt me a lot and I hope it hurt the players as much as it does me. Bristol Rovers deserve the win. They were better than us.

“We didn’t start well and never got going. I was actually pleased to be only one down at half-time.

“The second goal was a sucker punch. But the boys who finished the game, credit to them, we looked like a team on the front foot.”