Paul Tisdale believes the feeling of disappointment among his Bristol Rovers players after being knockout of the FA Cup is a sign of the progress they have made in recent weeks.
The Gas battled hard but were edged out 3-2 by Sheffield United at the Mem on Saturday.
Rovers did not lack courage or belief, twice coming back from a goal down before Jaden Bogle scored the decisive goal 27 minutes from time to book the Blades’ place in the fourth round.
“I’m disappointed,” Tisdale said at full time. “The players are as well and that probably sums up how well we played in a strange kind of way.
“We challenged and competed and put ourselves into a position of opportunity. Unfortunately we couldn't quite take it.
“I think we can take confidence from this going forwards but there are plenty of things we need to improve on.
“But generally, if we play with that kind of purpose we've got then we have a real chance.
“The fact that we're disappointed in the dressing room afterwards says a lot but actually we can take into the next league game.
“We have got a good chance to build on this for the rest of the season.”
The game did not lack controversy, with Oli Burke’s 59th minute finish to make it 2-1 prompting fierce protests from the Gas, who were certain Jack Baldwin was fouled at the other end before the counter-attack began.
Referee Keith Stroud put his whistle to his lips but then allowed play to continue.
“I'm 40-50 yards away but it seemed as though Jack was probably fouled," Tisdale said. "But there we are there were plenty of decisions today which could've gone either way.
“Unfortunately, a crucial one went against us. It looked like the referee put his whistle to his mouth but I don't know why he didn't blow.
“He certainly didn't play an advantage because we didn't have the ball, so he must've thought it wasn't a foul or he's changed his mind.
“Ether way it's his decision and we feel a little bit hard done by on that.”
.jpg?w=600)
