BRISTOL ROVERS PLAYER RATINGS
JAMES BELSHAW - 8
His impressive form was rewarded with his name being sung by the terraces. Another composed display, which featured crucial interventions with both his feet off his line and with his hands.
ALFIE KILGOUR - 6
The opening goal came down his channel, and he was caught napping in the second half only to be bailed out by Belshaw. However, he overlapped as the right centre-half and that gave Rovers a new attacking dimension.
CONNOR TAYLOR - 7
Was culpable in conceding the opening goal, beaten too easily by Kieran Phillips, but redeemed himself by coming up with the desperately-needed equaliser.
CIAN HARRIES - 8
A fine performance on the left side of the defence. Looked assured all afternoon, relishing the space he was afforded to pick passes. Went close with a thunderous volley.
HARRY ANDERSON - 7
Busted his gut up and down the right flank all day. Lacked a little accuracy in both shooting and delivery at times.
HARVEY SAUNDERS - 6
Got into good positions, but lax touches curtailed a couple of good first-half opportunities. Cramped up at the end, such was his relentless work rate.
PAUL COUTTS - 5
Worked effectively in the first half, but he was off-colour after the break, giving the ball away far too often.
GLENN WHELAN (pictured) - 6
Moved the ball accurately and had Rovers playing at a good tempo for the most part. Showed his nous to buy some fouls.
SAM FINLEY - 7
Never stopped coming up with ideas as Rovers looked to break down Walsall’s defences. Not everything came off, but he played his part in the victory.
ANTONY EVANS - 6
A similar showing to previous outings. Plenty of exciting flashes, but nothing to show for it on the stats sheet. It will come.
BRETT PITMAN - 7
Endured a frustrating and ineffective afternoon, but his inspired flick created the equaliser and he made a nuisance of himself to keep the ball alive for the winner.
SUBSTITUTES
AARON COLLINS (for Whelan, 68 mins) -7
Popped up in good areas and an extra body up top made a big difference. JUNIOR BROWN (for Evans , 75 mins) 8
Excellent quality on his delivery when he was tasked with corners, with his inswinger leading to the leveller.
SION SPENCE (for Saunders, 90 mins) N/A
No rating for his very brief cameo, but what more could you ask for. He won the corner and then was in the right place at the right time to send the Gasheads wild with the winner, tapping into an empty net.
NOT USED: Jed Ward, Zain Westbrooke, Nick Anderton, Luca Hoole.
WALSALL: Carl Rushworth, Hayden White, Ash Taylor, Manny Monthe, Stephen Ward, Jack Earing, Sam Perry, Kieran Phillips (Zak Mills, 70 mins), Brendan Kiernan (Emmanuel Osadebe, 60 mins) (Rollin Menayese 78 mins), Tyrese Shade, George Miller.
NOT USED: Jack Rose, Alfie Bates, Tom Leak, Joe Willis.