Ward praised his players after watching them end a "big week" at Northampton, extending Rovers unbeaten run of games to five. Ward said: "It's been a big week for us. We've just played three teams that are all in good form and the players have had to show good levels of mental and physical strength. Two of those games have been away from home, so I have to be very satisfied that we have come through them unbeaten and have added a few more points to our tally. We've made progress and now we have to try to capitalise on the two home games that we have to come in the next week." Rovers almost won but Northampton goalkeeper Matt Duke made point-blank save to deny David Clarkson. Ward said: "It was a top-class save. Tom Parkes has also seen a header cleared off the line from the resulting corner. It was an entertaining second half, though I wouldn't have said the same about the first half, which, in my opinion, was a dull affair. It opened up a bit in the second period because both teams were trying to win it and I think that's key to what happened. In the first half it appeared that both sides were afraid of conceding the first goal. We went close, but both teams defended well, so we'll take the point and we'll go home and start again." Rovers keeper Steve Mildenhall was involved in an altercation with Northampton Town defender Zander Diamond, for which he received a yellow card. Ward said: "It was a bit silly and Steve shouldn't have got himself involved. On another day another referee could have done something totally different and Steve is old enough to know better. He pulled off a great double save to keep us in the game, but I was just relieved he was still on the pitch to do it." Mildenhall has kept 11 clean sheets this season & Rovers have the 4th best defensive record in our league. Ward said: "They have played together all season and they are very strong, very solid. They are extremely protective of their goals-against record, which rates highly in this division. Just one goal has been conceded in the last three games against good teams and that speaks volumes for the way they have been performing." Taken from the Post.
