htafc.com talked to manager Stan Ternent in the immediate aftermath of Town's 1-1 home draw with Bristol Rovers to get his thoughts on the match.
"I thought it was a decent game," the Gaffer explained. "I thought we set off particularly well in the first twenty minutes, but it went away a little bit before half-time. We had an opportunity to get a second goal, which perhaps we might have needed, and we gave a poor goal away as the lad (Craig Disley) was allowed to cross the ball.
"All in all, it was probably a fair result and I'm quite happy with a point in light of everything. I think that the expectation level after the way the lads have been going since Northampton, when we have only lost one game, is high and the fans felt that perhaps we should have won the game. We didn't, but we didn't lose it either and that is important. It's a game of opinions and I thought the players did quite well today."
The Galpharm faithful was audibly frustrated at the final whistle and Ternent explained that he can fully understand their reaction.
"It's difficult when they have one player up field and nine lined across their eighteen yard box. There were occasions when we could have crossed the ball and didn't and one or two other bits and pieces that added to the frustration.
"I suppose we could have gone a bit more 'route one' towards the end of the game, but whether we went like that, sideways, diagonally or whatever the fact is that we didn't win the game and that will be the reaction afterwards. It was borne out of frustration from the fans and we understand that.
"It's not vitally important that we didn't win today - it depends how you slant it. If we had drawn at Swindon last week and then won today everyone would have been happy, but as it is we did it the other way around. Nevertheless, it's still four points out of a possible six and it's important. I understand the crowd's frustration, but they have to understand that the only people it affects are the players.
"We didn't have as many clear-cut chances as in previous games, but I thought Bristol defended quite well. They came here with an unusual system, with an extra man on the left side of midfield. The game could have gone either way and I'm disappointed we didn't win, as is everyone else, but at least we didn't lose. I prefer looking on the bright side."
New loan signing Steve Jones played a full 90 minutes on the right side of Town's attack today and showed some good touches and skill.
Stan continued: "Steve did quite well - I think he should have scored with a header though, which I've told him. However, at least he was in there to miss it and eventually he will score those. He's lively and he gives us a little bit of pace and with Boothy, Jevo and Danny Cadamarteri out injured he's a big part of our strike force. I was pleased to get him and he'll be fine for us.
"We'll have to wait and see how long he is here, but initially it's for a month. We know Boothy needs an operation that will keep him out until January or early February if all goes well, but hopefully Jevo and Danny will not be out for too long."
Another of Town's loan men - Liam Dickinson - is coming to the end of his second month at the Galpharm and the Gaffer admitted that he would like him here for longer if possible.
"Liam is on his second month here and I'd like to extend that, but I don't imagine that Derby will want him to play in the FA Cup. If we do keep him it will run until around November 15th, but then he would have to go back as loans are for a maximum of ninety days. I could have taken him at the start of the season for a full season, but I decided against it; however, I didn't know then what would happen to Boothy!"
Joe Skarz limped off against the Pirates today, but was only suffering from cramp and should be fit for Town's trip to Hartlepool on Tuesday evening.
