Joey Barton hails 'thoroughly deserved' Fleetwood victory as beaten Bristol Rovers sack manager Ben Garner

Callum Camps' two terrific goals were the highlights of Fleetwood's win at Bristol Rovers

Brilliant brace by Camps in Fleetwood's 4-1 win at Bristol Rovers

A brilliant Callum Camps brace and further goals from strikers Paddy Madden and Ched Evans(with a penalty) sealed a 4-1 win in the South West to lift the Cod Army to eighth in League One.

The manner of the defeat led to Barton’s opposing number Ben Garner getting the sack after the game, having been in charge for less than 11 months.

Barton has spoken of his desire to mount another promotion challenge and he was delighted to show the defeat at Charlton Athletic in Town's previous league game was a blip.

After this fourth win in five league games, he said: “I just thought we were thoroughly deserving of the three points.

“I was a bit disappointed we only went in at half-time 2-0 up. I thought we should have had a penalty when Paddy Madden went through.

“We were probably a bit guilty of not testing the goalkeeper enough.

“It’s a bit weird going in at half-time 2-0 up away from home and being disappointed.

"We expected the response and I said to the lads there was no way they wouldn’t come back fighting in the second half on their own turf.

“They got the goal which gave them a bit of a lift but the quality we had coming off the bench (Jordan Rossiter and Evans were introduced for the final 25 minutes) gave us that platform to win the day comfortably.

“I think the result was a fair reflection of the distance between the two sides. It was a fantastic all-round team performance.”

Garner apologised to Rovers supporters after the game, describing the first-half performance as "unacceptable", and was relieved of his duties soon afterwards.

Having assumed what was his first senior managerial role last Christmas, Garner won six of his 31 games in charge. He leaves the Gas 18th in League One, having taken just one point from their last four games.