Joey Barton believes Bristol Rovers showed a new side to their game to get over the line at Leyton Orient on Tuesday.
The Gas made it three wins on the bounce and climbed to ninth in the League Two table after a 2-0 win at Brisbane Road.
Roared on by 880 Gasheads in E10, Antony Evans returned from injury to open the scoring with a superb long-range strike before Aaron Collins hit the back of the net for the third successive game to put Rovers in a commanding position at half time.
Kenny Jackett was sacked at full time, but his players kept fighting for him until the end and Rovers had to overcome a tricky second half on the back foot with players tiring.
And Barton was delighted to see his team dig deep to win and climb within three points of the play-off places.
"We knew we’d be tested here," Barton said. "Kenny, I’ve known him since my Man City days when he was at the football club. I’ve always watched his teams and competed against his teams. You know you’re always going to be challenged in every single department.
"When they came to our place at the start of the season, they were a fantastic side. Winning games of football breeds confidence and we weren’t at a confident stage.
"Tonight, the roles were reversed a little bit. As I say, it was a nice performance from the boys. A really mature performance. We had to show different sides and I’m really pleased with the two goals and a clean sheet to boot.
"It’s not easy to come here and win tonight we’re delighted on a tough run of games to pick up another valuable three points."
Nick Anderton was in the starting XI as Barton named the same side for the fourth game in succession, but the defender pulled out before the warm-up after feeling unwell.
Barton praised Anderton's commitment to the cause, having battled several knocks and niggles in recent weeks to keep going for the team.
"He was sick so we had to make an adjustment," Barton said.. "It’s not ideal. We had it recently against Oldham. You have to be resilient and resolute and that’s where your organisation and your group is ready and switched on.
"The lads who are disappointed in the hotel that they weren’t in the starting XI obviously were then called upon and that player who drops out is desperate to play. He’s got a cracked rib. Bumps and bruises everywhere because Nick is just a warrior.
"He’s the epitome of the quality we want in our team, somebody who puts his body on the line every single week. The guys who’ve been supporting us right throughout will tell you we had a tough time.
"Especially when Leyton Orient came to our place last time, he had a tough day, but he’s come on leaps and bounds since then. So, we’ll get some food and hopefully some medicine into him. Hopefully, then he’ll be involved for Saturday’s game."
Evans was the player to come into the side after three games out with a hamstring problem and he scored his seventh league goal of the season.
There were times when he was at the centre of free-flowing attacking moves, but it was Rovers' resolve that impressed Barton the most.
"Tonight, we had to show a different side," he concluded. "There were spells in the first half where I thought we were sensational, controlling the ball and taking the sting out of the opponent.
"We knew they’d keep coming and coming and that’s maybe where you’ve got to get the third goal. The third goal makes life very difficult for the opposition.
"I’m pleased with how far we’ve come in a short space of time, but I still feel the best is yet to come from this group and with 15 to go we’re in a nice spot."
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