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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Lincoln: Red card proves costly as dogged Gas come up short

Ellery Balcombe - 7

Not to blame for this one, with Regan Poole's header out of his reach. Made a pair of brilliant saves in the first half to keep Rovers just a goal behind. His competition with James Belshaw truly begins on Tuesday now his three-game clause is up, but this was his best performance so far.

James Gibbons - 6

Defended his side pretty well when Lincoln targeted the full-backs with big switches of play. His long throws ended up being Rovers' best attacking weapon in the second half.

Jarell Quansah - 6

Had some harem-scarem moments, but he stood tall for the most part in difficult circumstances. May have been sent off late on, but his decision to pull down Luke Plange was a gamble worth taking with Rovers chasing an equaliser.

James Connolly - 5

Untidy if dogged throughout without it causing any further damage. Claimed a foul in the build-up to the first goal but there was nothing doing according to the referee. Had a difficult afternoon up against the physical Ben House.

Lewis Gordon - 5

Had a tough match-up against Jack Diamond down Rovers' left side and there were several uncomfortable moments, but ultimately the only damage the Gas incurred was from a set play with a strong suggestion of a foul. Taken off in the second half when Rovers' attention turned to chasing a goal after settling things down.

Grant Ward - 6

Did his job well for the most part. Policed the midfield in the absence of Paul Coutts and Sam Finley and he was relatively effective in the closing stages at recycling possession to generate a bit of momentum, although it ultimately came to nothing.

Antony Evans - 5

A typical Evans performance of late, with some moments of quality but plenty to frustrate, too. Set-piece deliveries were short of the required but he did force an excellent save from a free-kick before being withdrawn in the second half.

Luke McCormick - 5

One of the men to be sacrificed at the interval after an ineffective first half. Changes needed to be made at the break after Loft's red card and McCormick made way. Nothing going for him at the moment.

Aaron Collins (c) - 6

Given the captain's armband in the absence of Paul Coutts and Sam Finley and he led from the front in a literal sense when he raced towards goal with only the goalkeeper to beat with Rovers' best chance of the first half, but his shot was saved. That was about as good as it got for him after the Gas went down to 10 men, although he was still a thorn in the Lincoln side and had a decent penalty shout waved away.

Ryan Loft - 3

Was fired up from the off, pressing usefully to give the Gas a few scraps to work with in the final third, but his afternoon was over before half time. Took a needless risk to compete with goalkeeper Carl Rushworth for a bouncing ball in a benign situation and the Lincoln man went down under contact. Referee Tom Reeves and consulted with his assistant and produced a red card. Rushworth made a meal of the contact, but engaging was unnecessary and it he left his teammates a man short.

Ryan Loft of Bristol Rovers fouls Carl Rushworth of Lincoln City and is shown a red card. (Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

Josh Coburn - 5

Saw a fierce strike well blocked in the first half but he saw little else come his way. Withdrawn at the interval to tighten things up after the red card. Had Rovers still had 11, he certainly would have stayed on.

Substitutes

Scott Sinclair (for McCormick on 46') - 5

An experienced head in front of the back four but Rovers could not get him on the ball.

Harry Anderson (for Coburn on 46') - 7

Brought security in front of the back four and he was Rovers' best attacking outlet as they looked to pull off a smash-and-grab. Alas, a leveller proved elusive.

Lamare Bogarde (for Gordon on 75') - 7

Moved the ball swiftly and brought fresh impetus.

John Marquis (for Evans on 75') - 6

Got stuck in without reward.

Not used: James Belshaw, Luca Hoole, Calum Macdonald.

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