BRISTOL ROVERS PLAYER RATINGS
JAMES BELSHAW - 8
He and his defence were sure they had caught Elias Kachunga in a first-half offside trap, but the assistant’s flag stayed down and the ‘keeper was alert to tip the shot over the bar. Saved brilliantly from Charles after Connolly’s mistake, but he had no chance of keeping out his equaliser in stoppag-time.
BOBBY THOMAS - 8
Despite a strong first half for Rovers, Bolton still carried a threat going forwards and Thomas was at his no-nonsense best at the back, clearing the danger with authority on multiple occasions. The same could be said in the second half.
JAMES CONNOLLY - 7
Had one or two bruising exchanges with Bolton’s front three in the first half but held firm. Had a fortunate moment in the second half when an errant touch gifted Charles with a chance, but Belshaw was there to save.
LEWIS GIBSON - 8
A classy operator who is starting to thrive thanks to playing more frequently this season than he has in previous years due to injury. He was outstanding on the left of the back three, reading the game expertly from the first minute to the last.
SCOTT SINCLAIR - 7
Was penned back into a right-back position for long periods, particularly in the second half. That position is unfamiliar to him, but he leaned on all of his experience to put in a composed display.
JORDAN ROSSITER - 8
Rose from his sick bed to play the role of destroyer in Rovers’ midfield, playing as the pivot in front of the back three. He policed that area to great effect, winning so many second balls and disrupting Bolton’s build-up play.
SAM FINLEY - 8
Rovers scored early and they threatened to add more to their tally in the first half, and it was Finley who was pulling the strings. Had to be more dogged after the break and the captain led by example, although an intercepted pass late on left some with their hearts in their mouths.
ANTONY EVANS - 8
Was called out by his manager after the Boreham Wood game, but he made an immediate positive impact here with an eye-catching surge down the right flank. Showed impressive speed to burst towards the byline inside the second minute, and his cross put it on a plate for Josh Coburn to score. Improved the defensive side of his game greatly and this was a rounded performance in response to a poor showing in the cup.
TREVOR CLARKE - 7
Joined the attack to good effect on multiple occasions. Looked vulnerable defensively at times with Conor Bradley causing trouble out wide, but the Irishman stuck to his task well.
AARON COLLINS - 7
Not the star of the show, but an effective performance nonetheless. Played his part in the opening goal, turning well in midfield and finding the run of Evans ahead of him with a nice pass.
JOSH COBURN - 8
The lad is a fox in the box. Four of his five Rovers goals have come from in and around the six-yard area, and he was there again to slide on to the end of Evans’ brilliant low cross to give the Gas a rapid start. Led the line with maturity.
SUBSTITUTES
JAMES GIBBONS (for Clarke, 68 mins) -7
Was a willing runner at wing-back and got the Gas upfield.
LUKE MCCORMICK (for Collins, 90+2 mins) - N/A
NOT USED: Anssi Jaakkola, Alfie Kilgour, Glenn Whelan, John Marquis, Harvey Saunders.
BOLTON: James Trafford, Gethin Jones, Eoin Toal, George Johnston, Conor Bradley, Aaron Morley, George Thomason (Williams, 36 mins), Owen Beck (Keiran Sadlier, 73 mins), Dapo Afolayan, Elias Kachunga (Amadou Bakayoko, 63 mins), Jon Daoi Bodvarsson (Dion Charles, 55 mins).
NOT USED: MJ Williams, Josh Sheehan, Jack Iredale, Kieran Lee.