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" If you had said we were going to win the game then obviously I would have taken it, but we have had to work exceptionally hard to do that. We have beaten a good side, and this Bristol Rovers team, certainly here at home, will be absolutely no pushover. They will win a lot of games of football, they have got some entertaining players, particularly at the top end of their team. I think that we have as well though and it was a question of which top end could come out on top, and I am really pleased that we have done that.
" We had to show character to come back because you get shades of last year when we were two down after 15 minutes and the game has gone away from us. We had to stick in, so the early equaliser after their goal was a bit of a blow to them. It just set them back and gave us a lift.
" Obviously (Marc) Bridge-Wilkinson's goal right on half-time gave my players an opportunity probably to accept my criticism a little bit better because they were in front in the game. All times are good to score but they are pretty valuable times, one after a goal down and then one right on half-time are good times to get yourselves in front.
" He (Danny Carlton) has worked his socks off and that is what we have talked about in this game and what we were going to try to do when we came here. We were going to have to defend, we knew that, but I don't like sitting back, we've gone attacking wise I think with a formation that has got some pace and some excitement to it.
" We have to win the ball for them though and I think that Bridge-Wilkinson, (Paul) Thirlwell and my two centre-halves (Danny Livesey and Peter Murphy) were terrific today. They made sure that we have kept things down to a minimum when the ball got into those front guys who could cause some problems. "
" He (Ben Williams) has pulled a save out in the second-half, as well as the one in the first-half, in the top corner. That is a strength of his, he is hard to beat, he has been left a wee bit exposed with the two goals. We're disappointed with those that have come at us but we'll look at that and try to improve it. He has got some big footsteps to follow in Keiren (Westwood) so we shouldn't be comparing those two. We look at Ben and there is going to be an emerging goalkeeper there who will get better.
" I'd have thought that people got value for money today. I think it was indicative of that that a lot of the Bristol Rovers supporters, who know their football by the way, they stood there and applauded their team off in defeat because they know that they have seen a good side get beat now. They know that if they keep following their team then they will see some better results and some better performances.
" So it was a good game, we wanted to take it to them, we did when we could. Obviously we had to do our defending work, which I've just said that people have done well for us in that department. We've taken it on in an attacking mood though and I think that we can't maybe do that every week, week-in and week-out, but delighted with the way that it has come off today.
" Michael (Bridges) will come on and do stuff. Michael has accepted the decision today, he is terrific, he is an exceptional professional footballer and if he was stood here instead of me he would be telling you this. He has got to find his time, I haven't brought him not to play, I've got 45 more league games to play so don't worry about Michael, he'll be playing.
" I said to you before that when I name my side at Bristol Rovers there will be many other opinions and many other viewpoints. Mine is the only team that ever plays and wins or loses though, so I have to stand by that. Today I have been vindicated by the team selection and we have still got some good players to come in and help us. So I'm fine with what I have done, it's OK, I won't get it right every week and I will stand and tell you that when I have got it wrong. At the moment though I'm pleased with the way that everybody has worked today. "
" I've no idea of my side for Tuesday yet, I have just lost my breath walking across the pitch, getting wet through and climbing up half of 200 steps to talk to you. I haven't had a chance to consider what my team selection will be on Tuesday. I hope that I get it right and we get a win, I'll look at that when I sit back tonight and ponder on this one and look ahead to the next one, we'll try to get it right though.
" I've got Jeff Smith, Gary Madine and Darren Campion, they are the first boys in the dressing-room today and they have not had a shirt today, and they are saying well done to everybody. Because I insist that it is a game that if we win then we all win. I brought 19 players here and we have got Lummy (Chris Lumsdon) back at home along with Grant Smith and they have won as well for me.
" That's what we have created, well that is what was here when I came, it's not mine, but we have nurtured it and got it better. This group of players are terrific and they will all play a big part in this season, there is absolutely no doubt about that.
" Can I just say thank you to the supporters, they have come here and it has been raining all afternoon. When you come to Bristol Rovers they put you out in the rain and I think that they will go home wet through but they will go home happy. It was nice to see them in a good mood at the end, I thank them for coming.
" There were a lot of them here again today and hopefully they will feel pleased with what they have seen and we'll see them again and thank them again with a few more good results hopefully. They were absolutely terrific, much appreciated, and the players and myself appreciate that greatly, thank you very much. "