if the rod was a problem you would have lost more than the two you did,and pulling out on hair rig then to me it wasnt hook 100%,id look at the hook first then the rod

if you feel better with a new rod then id look at the preston 10feet mini carp or the new 10/11 feet version they are bring out this month.

if your drag was set right i would look at your hook like bartez said
10′ rod is too short in my opinion for winter as theres less “everything”

I used to have a Drennan DRX Stillwater and to be honest I thought the 11ft 10in DRX River was a far better rod so much so that I got rid of the Stillwater and bought the 12ft 10in River.

I now use the Shakespeare Superteam 11/12/13ft which is a far superior and more versatile rod.

Ive had a DRX 11-10 river, a Suveran 11-8/13 and numerous others. I bought a Reactolite system on recomendation about 2 years ago, and apart from where I need barbel rods thats all I use. The 13′ will chuck over 80 yards easy, the 9′ bomb is just a elastic band that is perfect for winter bomb fishing, and the 11′ is just the perfect all round carp feeder rod. I now own the system plus another spare rod and an extra middle and top setion, and wouldnt use anything else.
Expensive, yes, but Ive definately had less fish losses as a result

After trying Pebs 12ft rod for a chuck or two at Stafford moor I was tempted to buy the system but the cost put me orf, then maver produced the 12ft rod from the system as a separate purchase and I now use that for most of my feeder work, if you was to ask me when was the last fish lost when feeder fishing I would have to tell you I can’t remember, I don’t think I have ever lost a fish on this rod fairly hooked. Now that is quite a statement to make, however if I have any critism to make of the rod is that I find it a bit lightish when casting large feeders, but then maybe I am asking a lot from one rod, that aside it covers 90% of my feeder work.