Liam Buckley is hopeful that last night’s win over Waterford FC is a sign of things to come, as he admits the feeling of being bottom of the table cannot be forgotten in the wake of a positive restart by the Bit O’ Red.

Alex Cooper struck in the final seconds of an exciting SSE Airtricity Premier Division game at The Showgrounds.

It gave Rovers a third win in four matches.

Buckley said he felt his side earned the three points on the night and bounced back well from the defeat in Cork City.

He said: “I think we deserved it over the 90 minutes. The lads put in a serious shift over the second half. We had all the chances. They did hit the crossbar. But overall I thought we did well.

“It is important [for us to move up the table and off the bottom]. The optics for us on that have been a disaster. We’ve now pulled a few wins out.

“There is not a lot between Waterford, St Patrick’s Athletic, Finn Harps. There’s not a lot between us all so you do need to win a few games.

“Hopefully we can continue this sort of form. We were a little bit out of sync in Cork and this is a great response. We did have the better of the chances in Cork in the first half and didn’t take them.

“We were chasing it in the second half. It wasn’t a disastrous performance but it was a poor result albeit a bit flattering to them.”

The passing in the second half in particular pleased Buckley, who is still demanding more from his players.

Next up is Dundalk on Saturday in The Showgrounds.

“I thought our general play was far better and we moved the ball a lot quicker and better.

“Hopefully that is a sign of things to come. Individually we are very good. Collectively we need to improve.”

The Rovers boss thanked supporters for getting behind the team.

They will not be able to attend games against Dundalk and Finn Harps, but went out on a brilliant note.

“I’m disappointed for all of our fans. Even with the 50 that are in tonight, there is a little bit of an atmosphere.

“I’m delighted for them and hearing them encourage us on. Not to have anybody at games is disappointing but if it has to be, it has to be.”