Bristol Roves were held to a 1-1 draw against Leyton Orient at the Memorial Stadium, as the visitors equalised in injury time.
The Gas took the lead just before half-time with a fine strike from Grant Ward into the bottom corner, which left Sol Brynn helpless.
Orient looked to make amends as they dominated possession in the second-half and they found their equaliser in the final minute of the match, as Tristan Crama headed the ball into the back of his own net following a free-kick.
Andy Mangan looked deflated at the final whistle but, “couldn’t have been prouder” of his team’s performance.
“I’m devastated for them because it should be three points,” said Mangan.
“But we just have to move on.”
The draw leaves Rovers 11th in the League One table, nine points off the play-off positions.
“I’m Gutted for the lads, we just kept getting deeper and deeper.
“They kept putting balls in the box and with the law of averages, they were going to land one and unfortunately for us they have landed on it and it was an own goal.
“It’s frustrating at the moment as you can imagine.”
The hosts led the game for almost all of the second-half and the caretaker boss will be deeply frustrated that his team weren’t able to see out the match.
“We still need to be better, even if we were to see it out for three points,” said Mangan.
“That’s not a performance that you would say was an incredible performance.”
Mangan was accused that his substitutions weren’t attacking enough and that his side’s lead was too slender going into the final moments of the match.
“Our next two substitutions were John Marquis and Aaron Collins which was very positive.
“Again, to try and get after them a little bit more, which I thought got a positive reaction.”
The last six weeks has been extremely tough for the players at the club, due to the uncertainty of the coaching staff’s futures.
“The lads were nervy at that point I think, with everything that’s been going on, they are desperate to do so well for the staff, they’ve been incredible.”
After a defeat at Derby County last weekend, it has been a tough week for Rovers on the pitch.
“Sometimes as well during these winter months you’re going to get games like that, especially when you get your nose in front, you have just got to see it out,” said the interim boss,
“I can’t be any prouder of the players, they’ve done amazing for us.
“They’re so desperate for the staff to stay and they give everything.”
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