DC confirms things are moving behind the scenes

BRISTOL Rovers boss Darrell Clarke declared himself "relatively pleased" with his players after watching them begin life outside the Football League with a goalless draw against Grimsby Town at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Striker Matt Taylor failed to convert Rovers' best opportunity of the afternoon when denied by Grimsby goalkeeper Jack McKeown around the hour mark of a game of relatively few chances.

Defender Tom Parkes denied former Rovers' favourite Craig Disley by making a goal-line clearance soon after, while Steve Mildenhall made his one and only save at the start of the second half to paw Paddy McLaughlin's goalbound effort over the crossbar.

Clarke said: "Grimsby are an established Conference Premier side and I thought it was a good test for us.

"It was a keenly-fought and fairly-even contest and I am relatively pleased with the outcome.

"I would have liked to have won the game, of course, but it is pleasing that we have got something from the first game and now we can move on.

"The effort, desire and commitment was there for all to see, but we just lacked that little bit of quality at times.

"We look like a side that will create chances, but we just needed to be a bit better with our final ball at times.

"I thought we were well-organised and well-drilled and we finished stronger that Grimsby.

"We were a bit unfortunate not to nick a win in the final stages, but I think we have seen two teams who will be decent at this level over the rest of the season.

"We still have plenty of things to work on but there were a lot of positives for me to take away from the performance.

"I won't be underestimating anybody in this league, but if we are at our best we have more than enough to do well this season."

Clarke, meanwhile, was also full of praise for supporters after a higher than expected turnout of more than 7,000 attended a game that was also broadcast live on TV.

The manager said: "It was a fantastic turnout and I can't thank the supporters enough.

"It was great for the new lads to experience that because some of them will not have played in front of 7,000 before.

"We got a good reaction from them after a 0-0 and that was another really positive thing for us, but we have to keep giving our supporters reasons to be cheerful."