Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor felt the League One side were full value for an FA Cup replay against Norwich City after a spirited 1-1 Carrow Road draw.

Former Ipswich midfielder Grant Ward cancelled out Ashley Barnes' early first half strike, and the visitors struck the post prior to the interval in a confident, front-foot display in front of 1,300 travelling supporters.

David Wagner’s squad must now head to Bristol later this month as the Pirates bid to complete the job and dump out the Championship club.

“So pleased with what the team and the club stood for in terms of effort on the pitch and from the fans,” said Taylor, quoted by Bristol Live. “We can't be greedy in football despite wanting to be, despite some of the chances that we created. First half, especially that one where we hit the post. That looked like a must-score moment.

"Only really the cut-back in the second half and the set piece towards the end but so pleased with the performance.

“I thought we started the game well. We had the best chances of the first half and at the start of the second half. We had to soak up a little bit of pressure but our keeper doesn't feel like he's been overworked. We defended our box pretty well, and set pieces included.

"A step in the right direction. We're still in the draw. We don't feel it's a missed opportunity. The opportunity will come in the space of ten days time.

“I can't complain about the performance. We've limited them to half-chances. You always want more from an attacking sense but we have to respect where the game was.”

Rovers goalscorer Ward was forced off in the second half with a hamstring injury.

“He's so important for us. He gives us such a different dynamic to the midfield,” said Taylor. “He bursts to the ball and away from people. He moves like a player of Championship level so we'll see how the hamstring is.

“People questioned why he didn't start on New Year's Day. That's why. His body is probably not quite there to play week-in week-out just yet and the workload that he got through the Christmas period was exceptional. He's always in that risk category because he's missed too much of the season.”