Paul Trollope insists the whole of his Bristol Rovers squad will have a part to play as the Pirates head into the biggest few weeks of their season so far, writes Chris Swift.

The manager praised the role his substitutes played in the 1-1 weekend draw against Brighton, when they fought back from behind against 10-man opponents before almost winning the game at the death.

The result stretched their unbeaten run to four matches and kept them third in League One. Again, it was substitute Andy Williams who set up the Pirates' goal against the Seagulls, and Trollope insisted the door is still open for the striker and fellow substitute Darryl Duffy, despite the arrival of loan signing Chris Dickson.

"Andy made a good impact, as did Darryl. We have said all along that all the squad are going to be used and be important, and they certainly showed their worth," said Trollope.

"It was Chris Dickson's game against Brentford on his debut, and this time it was probably Andy's when he came on and was the highlight.

"Andy has proved himself, not only in his sub performances, but in training, and his impact has been a bonus for us.

"He has changed games and I am pleased with his contribution. Anyone who makes a good contribution can force their way in.

"The players know that if you are in and you are playing well you keep your shirt. If you come on and do well, it might come to the stage where you deserve the shirt."

Rovers now have three big games coming up with tomorrow's trip to Southampton followed by an away game at Norwich and a home clash with leaders Leeds.

"We have got three games in a week and I am sure we are going to need more than the players who started on Saturday," said Trollope.

"Everyone will be used and when the subs get the opportunities, it is good to see them take them.

"We have got a strong bench now, something we didn't have at the beginning of the season. Our fitness and the injury situation are not bad, and all the players on the bench can influence a game – we needed that on Saturday."

Trollope felt his side did enough to clinch their fourth win on the bounce against Brighton.

"We thought we deserved all three points, but unfortunately had a poor 15-minute spell after half-time when they scored," he said. "Then a mixture of bad luck and poor finishing in the final stages cost us the three points.

"I am disappointed and frustrated. However, the players showed a good character, we got a well-worked goal and had the sort of chances that normally win you football matches.

"We are frustrated, but it is not the end of the world. We have been on a decent run and we have got some great games to look forward to next week."

Rovers have an unwelcome history of failing to beat teams who have had a man sent off, but Trollope pointed to the chances that didn't go in as evidence that his side were positive in trying to win the game.

"We have learnt huge lessons from previous seasons," he said. "We tried to do things in the right manner at the start of the second half, but it didn't work.

"But in the last half an hour we did a lot of things well, we had a good width to us, we started to move things quicker and I think in one-on-one situations we were bold.

"It is a frustrating coincidence, but not the issues we have had in previous years. Nine times out of 10, the chances we created, will win you football matches.

"We have had a few slices of luck over the opening part of the season, and this time maybe we didn't quite get that."