Wintry weather,and wretched defending made it hard to enjoy a long awaited visit to Accrington Stanley on Saturday, writes John Light

After two minutes our defenders adopted an after you policy when a boot out of the ground would have served a better purpose. We were a goal down to the league leaders. Worse was to come. Those listening to BBC Radio Gloucestershire's radio commentary will have heard Bob Hunt claim a penalty for Rovers. He was right to do so. A blatant handball was totally ignored by the referee. A brains trust of Accrington fans chaired by me anded convened in the queue for the gents toilets readily agreed. When you are down you are down added a Stanley sage, but you have to keep going. Rovers did just that, for the middle of the match, competed on equal terms, with the industrious Reid claiming a deserved equaliser. We then had more evidence that Rovers have given up defending for Lent. Accrington star midfielder Clark brushed several half-hearted challenges and walked the ball into the net. Do not watch the highlights if you are of a nervous disposition. Both midfield and defence were to blame.

Full marks to the travelling fans who had some sub –standard toilets, but a supreme award to Ken Boulton who brought us home through wintry conditions. Now for a change of tack. Four horses were put down at Cheltenham on Friday and six in total. We all love the Festival but at this cost? My feelings are faltering. Was it the going? Was it the fences? Answers please, but more some solutions.