James Belshaw - 8
Appeared to be doubly unlucky in the first half with two deflections for both goals. The first was minor as Devante Cole scored from a narrow angle in the third minute. The second was hugely unfortunate as Jordan Williams took aim from 30 yards and his seemingly harmless shot cannoned off a Rovers shirt and into the opposite side of the goal.
He was powerless to keep out Barnsley's third, too, as Josh Benson shot a laser into the bottom corner. Without him, there would have been more than three, with the keeper making good saves to repel Luca Connell and Callum Styles, and he also robbed the ball from Luke Thomas when he was well placed to score.
Harry Anderson - 5
A chastening start to the game as Barnsley targeted Rovers' right channel. Was less troubled as the game progressed and Rovers pivoted to a back three, but he could not affect proceedings in attack.
Luca Hoole - 5
Suffered at the hands of Cole in the first half, with the striker getting the better of Rovers' young defender. A learning experience for the 20-year-old as he transitions to life as a centre-back.
James Connolly - 5
Started the best of Rovers' defenders and came up with some important interventions, but he became more ragged in the second half and was lucky to be bailed out by Belshaw after a poor back pass.
Lewis Gordon - 5
Like Anderson on the other side, he could not get on the front foot and his use of the ball was inaccurate. Taken off at half time and will reflect on a learning experience.
Paul Coutts (c) - 5
Tried to regain control after a nightmare start for Rovers, and he looked to get the Gas on the attack with balls for Collins and Saunders to chase but nothing came off. Was booked shortly before half time and was withdrawn at the break on his return to the starting XI.
Antony Evans - 5
Was forced onto the back foot from the off and could not offer much of an attacking influence for the Gas. He was taken off at half time.
Sam Finley - 6
Got stuck into the battle in midfield and he was not lacking in composure when he got the ball, although it was proving difficult to make any inroads. Was booked before the break and that card, coupled with the scoreline, likely played a part in him being withdrawn after the hour mark.
Harvey Saunders - 5
Was the target of direct service as Rovers looked to make the most of the space in behind, but the conditions made it tricky to weight the passes appropriately. Made a strange decision to turn down a shooting chance from 18 yards at 2-0 down. The Gas did not get many openings and it was one of the clearest sights of goal they had. Plugged away ineffectively.
John Marquis - 5
A thankless night with very little in the way of service. Barnsley pounced on any balls played into him to hold up and the Gas never found enough rhythm to sustain a platform in Barnsley territory.
Aaron Collins - 5
Almost anonymous, for one reason or another. Rovers may have had more possession, but it was ineffective and they could not make it stick in attack. One bright contribution led to a rare chance in the first half, but he neither received the required service nor made enough of the scraps he did get.
Substitutes
Lewis Gibson (for Gordon on 46') - 5
Took a few chances on the ball and was almost punished.
Glenn Whelan (for Coutts on 46') - 5
Could not change the pattern of the game. The Gas could not penetrate and Barnsley continued to fly forward onto anything loose.
Jordan Rossiter (for Evans on 46') - 6
See Whelan. Got stuck in, but the Gas could not change the flow of the game in the second half, though he did help Rovers win a few more second balls.
Ryan Loft (for Finley on 66') - 5
Put himself about.
Alfie Kilgour (for Anderson on 84') - NA
Not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Jerry Lawrence.
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