Joey Barton admits Bristol Rovers are far from the finished article, but he believes their last-gasp equaliser at Bradford City on Saturday added to his side's positive momentum.
The Gas were woeful in the first half at Valley Parade, struggling to cope with the Bantam's press, and Barton was lucky to have his side back in the dressing room at just 1-0 down at the break; Charles Vernam the man to break the deadlock in the 42nd minute.
Rovers mustered an immediate response after the interval, with Alfie Kilgour heading Antony Evans' wicked corner into the net, but Andy Cook restored the lead within just 90 seconds as the Gas were caught cold at the back.
But Evans' delivery was pivotal in rescuing a point for the Pirates, whipping the ball onto the head of Brett Pitman, who sent a sublime header into the top corner in the final minute of the 90.
Rovers remain 16th in League Two, four points off the top seven after salvaging a point, and Barton believes it could be an important moment in their season.
"First half, we weren’t at the races," he said. "We just never got going. I spoke to the lads at half time and said we were fortunate the game was still there for us if we improved and upped our performance.
"To be fair to the lads they took it on and scored, got back into the game, but almost as quick as we scored, they’re (Bradford) back in the ascendency, and then we probably played our best football at 2-1 down.
"Luke Thomas, Sammy Nicholson and obviously Brett will get the headlines because it’s one hell of a goal. But I thought the boys, like Antony Evans dropping down, were brave when they got the ball and they took the game on.
"I felt we were unfortunate not to win it in the end. Connor (Taylor) thinks his header is going in but it looks like it just clips a defender or Aaron (Collins) which keeps it out. It would’ve been a really nice cherry on top.
"However, on reflection coming here this season, it keeps our momentum going. We know we’re not the finished article but it backs up the positive result at home last weekend with another hard-earned point on the road.
"The best is yet to come but a really nice point to take back with us and we know that we can be miles better in many departments."
Pitman's equaliser was a snapshot of his class inside the confines of the penalty area, leaving goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell rooted with a sublime header.
Barton believes that type of service is the formula for getting the best out of the veteran striker, who has been lost in the shuffle in other games, often on a different wavelength to Rovers' playmakers.
"That’s something he’s done historically and that’s what we brought him for," the manager said.
"But we’ve got to service the box. If you’re asking Brett to run around and set the press then you’re not playing to his strengths. The boys in there know that if they service the box, Brett is as good as anybody in the football pyramid. Inside that 12-yard penalty spot area, he’s as good as anybody.
"We haven’t, while he’s played for us, created enough of those moments and it shows at a key time for us, just what we’ve brought him here for.
"Really pleased for Brett, he worked hard for the team today and again it’s a wonderful goal."
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