BRISTOL ROVERS PLAYER RATINGS
JAMES BELSHAW - 8
Let down by his defence early doors with David McGoldrick given too much time and space to open the scoring. Belshaw helped them out in the second half with a series of good saves, denying Harvey White and McGoldrick with free-kicks before repelling the latter with a smothering stop in stoppage-time. LUCA HOOLE - 8
Allowed Tom Barkhuizen too much space for the opening goal, but the right-back continued his excellent form with another performance full of ambition and vigour. Attacked with intent, particularly in the second half.
JAMES CONNOLLY - 8
The first goal was not a good look for the Gas with a tame cross finding a striker with far too much space in the box and McGoldrick ruthlessly took the chance. Thereafter, Rovers’ defence was superb, not only in curbing Derby’s attacking threat but also progressing the ball out from the back.
LEWIS GIBSON - 8
His influence on this team is huge, so much so that defensive mix-ups like the opening goal come as a real surprise when they were the norm for the Gas earlier in the season. Led the defence excellently from that moment, with his positive play in possession rewarded in stoppage-time when his clipped ball into the box led to the foul on Antony Evans for the penalty.
LEWIS GORDON - 7
Will regret not pulling the trigger when the chance opened up for him in the first half, but this was another good outing for the left-back. Attacked to good effect, particularly in the second half. LAMARE BOGARDE - 8
The midfield star on both sides. Played and received balls through the lines to help Rovers gain a dominant footing in the game, and his defensive work was excellent when required.
SAM FINLEY - 6
Not at his best with some slack passes at unfortunate moments. Still, he played his part in a midfield that had control of the game for the majority of the 90 minutes. GRANT WARD - 7
Hugely effective, particularly in a second half where Rovers had the Rams under near-constant pressure.
HARRY ANDERSON - 6
Returned to the starting XI for the first time in two months, so naturally he was short of a bit of rhythm. Will be disappointed he did not score from Sinclair’s cutback after rounding the keeper, hitting the post from close range. SCOTT SINCLAIR - 7
A constant menace for the Rams, getting into good positions on the right flank. AARON COLLINS - 7
No goal or assist to show for it, but this was a performance indicative of Collins returning to his best form. SUBSTITUTES
RYAN LOFT (for Anderson, 46 mins) - 7 Will be frustrated he didn’t take chances, but his impact on the game was clear. ANTONY EVANS (for Gordon, 71 mins) 7
Showed plenty of bottle to smash his penalty into the top corner.
JOSH COBURN (for Finley, 71 mins) - 6 Got stuck into his battles, but got no help from the referee.
JOHN MARQUIS (for Sinclair, 84 mins) -6
Showed his experience to hold the ball as if he was taking the penalty, facing the wind-up attempts from the Rams players, only to hand the ball to Evans.
LUKE MCCORMICK (for Ward, 84 mins) -6
Back in action after the Forest Green episode.
NOT USED: Jed Ward, James Gibbons. DERBY: Joe Wildsmith, Jake Rooney (Curtis Davies, 74 mins), Eiran Cashin, Haydon Roberts, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Lewis Dobbin, 66 mins), Korey Smith, Conor Hourihane (Max Bird, 66 mins), Jason Knight, Tom Barkhuizen (Craig Forsyth, 59 mins), David McGoldrick, James Collins (Harvey White, 66 mins). NOT USED: Louie Sibley, Luke McGee.