Bristol Post

BRISTOL ROVERS PLAYER RATINGS

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JAMES BELSHAW - 6

Will be unhappy with his defence about the build-up to the opener, not dealing with the ball into the box initially before applying a half-hearted clearance and then failing to shut down goalscorer Shaun Rooney. The finish left the ‘keeper with no chance. The same could be said for the equaliser. More could have been done to block the cross from his defence but Rooney’s header was perfectly placed. JAMES GIBBONS - 5

Had a quiet first half and was sacrificed at half-time to enable a change in shape. BOBBY THOMAS - 7

Rovers’ defence did not look assured in the first half, but after shifting to a three at the interval Thomas started to thrive.

LEWIS GIBSON - 7

Was under plenty of pressure from Callum Morton when Danny Andrew delivered into the area for the opener, but Gibson ought to have dealt with the cross with more authority. Spurned a good chance at the other end soon after, sending a free header over the bar from Evans’ cross. Rovers moved to a back three in the second half and Gibson benefitted. Performed strongly.

LEWIS GORDON - 7

Did some good work on the ball in the first half but he will be disappoint­ed when he was beaten too easily by Rooney before he fired into the far corner. Like many players, he was transforme­d in the second half. Burst forward time and again to cause problems for the defence.

SAM FINLEY - 8

Moved the ball with a touch of class all day and that paid dividends in the second half. His cross gave Collins a chance and the striker came up with a brilliant header.

JORDAN ROSSITER - 8

Booed by the visiting fans at the start of he game but he showed his former club what they are missing. Was outstandin­g, particular­ly in the second half, when Rovers applied the squeeze.

ANTONY EVANS - 7

The quality of his delivery was superb all afternoon and on another day he could have assisted a couple of set-piece goals. SCOTT SINCLAIR - 7

Offered a couple of injections of speed in the first period but at the break he was tasked with moving to wing-back and he took up the role brilliantl­y. Offered the width Rovers needed and helped stretch a resolute defence.

AARON COLLINS - 8

Kept relatively quiet in the first half but he was at the fore in the second. He created Rovers’ equaliser with a fine low cross, and then did everything but score himself until he made a giant leap to somehow rise above tall centre-back Josh Earl and head beyond Jay Lynch to give the Gas the lead.

JOSH COBURN - 8

Had a disappoint­ing first half, but he was transforme­d after the break. He set the tone by shrugging off Drew Baker and creating a good chance for Collins. Soon after, he got the leveller, finishing superbly from Collins’ cross.

SUBSTITUTE­S

JAMES CONNOLLY (for Gibbons, 46 mins) - 8

Steadied the defence when he was introduced and gave the Gas a solid platform to chase the game.

LUCA HOOLE (for Sinclair, 86 mins) N/A

Beaten too easily to allow space for the cross that led to the equaliser.

JOHN MARQUIS (for Collins, 89 mins) N/A

HARVEY SAUNDERS (for Coburn, 90+4 mins) - N/A

NOT USED: Anssi Jaakkola, Trevor Clarke, Luke McCormick.

FLEETWOOD: Jay Lynch, Drew Baker (Harrison Holgate, 65 mins), Aristote Nsiala, Josh Earl, Shaun Rooney, Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu (Daniel Batty, 72 mins), Josh Vela, Lewis Warrington (Paddy Lane, 86 mins), Danny Andrew, Callum Morton (Promise Omochere, 72 mins), Carlos Mendes Gomez (Joe Garner, 86 mins). NOT USED: Jakub Stolarczyk, Gerrard Garner.

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