Anssi Jaakkola - 7
The Finn was a spectator for almost the entirety of the first half until he was tested by a low shot from John-Kymani Gordon in stoppage time, with Jaakkola getting down well to make the save. A similar story in the second half, making one important save to repel a powerful header from Sean Grehan from close range.
Luca Hoole - 7
Had very few moments to worry about defensively and showed his developing attacking skills with an inventive turn and powerful run into the box, forcing a good save from Whitworth. Perhaps cutting it back would have been the better option with McCormick waiting in the middle, but encouraging to see Hoole's confidence to take the positive option.
Alfie Kilgour - 8
Defended aggressively on the halfway line to ensure Palace had little joy going forward and it was in the opposite penalty area where he made his impact with a strong header into the bottom corner to take the lead in first-half stoppage time. Taken off at half time. He's had rotten luck with injuries in the past two years; hopefully, there is not another issue for the centre-back.
Glenn Whelan - 6
Was assured in the heart of the defence, reading any rare moments of danger snuffing them out. A couple of sloppy passes gave Palace chances to attack in the second half but Whelan recovered well to atone. His night ended early with a straight red card inside the final 10 minutes for his reaction to a horrible, cynical foul on Clarke. Impossible to see what the referee deemed he did through the mass of bodies that gathered in the centre of the pitch.
Trevor Clarke - 8
Showed no shortage of confidence on the ball and linked well with Jasper in the first half to create some of Rovers' best attacks. Capped a strong showing with a very good goal, lashing home from 20 yards with his supposedly weaker right foot. Goalkeeper Joe Whitworth had no chance.
Paul Coutts (c) - 7
Neat and tidy in the centre of the park. Will have many tougher challenges down the line but good minutes in the bank for the captain after being in and out of the starting lineup. Provided the cross for Kilgour to open the scoring.
Zain Westbrooke - 6
Was bright in the first half, wrapping passes into the attackers to get Rovers moving forward. Proved to be less effective in the second period and spurned a chance to play Jasper through on goal, waiting far too long and allowing his pass to be intercepted.
Luke McCormick - 6
Got involved with often and linked the play nicely, but he didn't have his shooting boots and was wild with a half-chance from the edge of the box.
Harvey Saunders - 6
Had fewer touches than Jasper on the other side, but he was still impactful in the first half. Unlucky to see a wicked cross flash through the area untouched. The second half was more frustrating for him, with the ball not quite bouncing for him in a couple of promising situations and he was harshly booked.
Sylvester Jasper - 7
Dazzled with fancy footwork, but these tricks were not for show. He was Rovers' biggest source of creativity in the first half, causing plenty of trouble in the left channel. Quieter second half, although he would have had a gilt-edged chance to score had Westbrooke got his through ball right.
John Marquis - 6
Linked nicely with Westbrooke and McCormick a couple of times in the first half to open avenues of attack for Rovers. Few chances came his way, though, taking up some good positions in the box without being picked out by his teammates.
Substitutes
Bobby Thomas (for Kilgour on 46') - 7
Steady showing for the centre-back to preserve Rovers' clean sheet.
Josh Coburn (for Marquis on 46') - 6
Minutes in the bank for the young striker after making the move down from Middlesbrough on Monday. Looks a handful.
James Gibbons (for Hoole on 62') - 6
Half an hour in his legs after almost two months on the sidelines with a foot injury. Cleared a couple of moments of danger late on.
Lewis Gibson (for McCormick on 62') - 7
Looked really assured on his comeback from injury. Barton will be delighted to have him back.
Ryan Loft (for Saunders on 72') - 6
Put himself about in trademark fashion, but he had few chances to make an attacking impression with Rovers seeing the game out by the time he came on.
Not used: James Belshaw, Sam Finley.
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