'He dives around the living room' – Leahy heaps praise on flatmate and Bristol Rovers' hero Jaakkola

The Bristol Rovers wing-back spoke about living with Rovers' goalkeeper and scoring his penalty at Sunderland

Luke Leahy admits Bristol Rovers were indebted to their goalkeeper after claiming a point at Sunderland on Saturday.

The Gas opened the new League One season with a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light, with Anssi Jaakkola in inspired form between the sticks.

He made a series of important saves before pulling off an incredible fingertip stop to deny Black Cats skipper Max Power what seemed a certain winner in the final moments.

The Finland international lives with Leahy in Bristol, and the left-wing-back was full of praise for his flatmate at full time.

“Anssi’s save, that dug us out a bit because that was going in," Leahy said.

"We were just debating in there whether it was better than his save at Plymouth from Josh Grant (in the FA Cup last season).

“I share a flat with him, and he’s doing those sort of dives around the living room. To see him pull that one out was brilliant.”

Leahy had earlier opened the scoring for Ben Garner’s Rovers in the 3rd minute, burying his chance from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Lee Burge tripped Jayden Mitchell-Lawson.

“It wasn’t assigned to anyone, but I took one against Cheltenham in pre-season and scored it,” he said.

“I’ve been working on them for the last couple of weeks and as soon as it was given I ran to get the ball.

“I knew where I was going and I was confident I would score. I think it was my first kick of the game and the season, so I’m delighted it went in.”

The Gas, after two poor defensive displays in the League Cup and EFL Trophy, were much more resolute on Wearside, rigid in their shape and throwing their bodies in front of the ball.

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They staved off a dominant Sunderland side until the 82nd minute when the outstanding Chris Maguire belted one into the net from 18 yards, and Leahy believes Rovers can take confidence from their efforts.

“We were very unhappy with how we started in the cup games,” he said.

“But we were on the training ground Thursday and Friday working on defensive units and the gaffer has been very clear in what he wanted. It showed today.

“We expected to get three points, so it’s disappointing, but we know how tough a place it is to come with fans or no fans. It’s a point on the board.

“We’re not looking to just stay in the league or finish mid-table, we’re looking to finish as high as we can.

“The gaffer has instilled that winning mentality in every one of us, and although we didn’t see the game out, in seasons gone by we would have lost 2-1. We held out and we’ve got to take that as a positive heading into next Saturday.”