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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Plymouth: Evans' red card costly as Gas battle hard in defeat

James Belshaw - 7

Twice saved smartly from Bali Mumba in the first half and he was sharp off his line to take the ball off the toes of Niall Ennis after the striker was played in behind. It took a sublime overhead kick from Niall Ennis to break the deadlock, with the striker perfectly finding the bottom corner. Soon after, Macaulay Gillesphey's close-range header also gave him no chance. Responded with some excellent saves, with a fingertip effort to repel Callum Wright the best of the bunch.

Luca Hoole - 6

Had a respectable first half considering the Gas were a man down and had the League One Young Player of the Season, Mumba, as his main threat, with the Welshman coming up with several important challenges. Moved to centre-back in a back three after the break, but he was taken off as Barton reverted to a back four with Plymouth two to the good.

Jarell Quansah - 6

Had to defend his front post in the first half with Mumba always threatening down the Rovers right and the Liverpool loanee did the job well to get through to the interval level. The pressure told in the second half but he stuck to his task.

Lewis Gibson - 6

The whole defence was up against it with a numerical disadvantage and the Gas did well to get to the break at half time, but after the door was unlocked by Ennis' wonderful bicycle kick, Argyle looked to go for the Jugular, leading Barton to refresh his defence and Gibson was withdrawn on the hour mark. With the game effectively gone, there was little point in keeping him on given he is enjoying a run of fitness after a series of injury struggles.

Lewis Gordon - 6

Allowed Callum Wright to get away from him to easily for a big first half chance, but the left-back did pretty well otherwise given the importance of Plymouth's wing-backs to their system.

Lamare Bogarde - 6

A learning experience for the teenager having to play against a top side with a man down. Stayed in the battle right to the end and helped ensure Rovers took no further damage.

Grant Ward - 7

Rovers' best outfield player, with most of the rare forays forward seeing the midfielder heavily involved. Sign him up.

Antony Evans - 4

Mistimed his interception attempt, allowing Mumba to get away from him, so Evans responded by tripping him from behind to earn his first booking in the 13th minute. As many minutes later, he was off, making another challenge from behind to receive a second yellow card from referee Craig Hicks. Other officials may have been more lenient, but Evans' can't have many complaints; he gave the referee the chance to make a decision.

Aaron Collins (c) - 5

Got into a very dangerous area just before the red card but he did not make the most of it, anticipating contact that never arrived instead of taking on a shot or a cross. Taken off at the interval, which left Rovers lacking a bit of speed and an out-ball.

John Marquis - 6

One of those thankless nights where he had to do a heap of running with no reward due to the red card. Put his heart into it and battled hard.

Josh Coburn - 6

The sacrificial lamb to bring on an extra midfielder after the red card. Had held the ball up and won a couple of smart flick-ons before being withdrawn on 33 minutes.

Substitutes

Sam Finley - (for Coburn on 33') - 6

Came on to beef up the midfield and did the job pretty well, as well as trying to create bits and pieces going forward.

James Gibbons (for Collins on 46') - 7

Had the best effort in front of goal all evening, but his snapshot from 16 yards went just wide. Defended doggedly to sure it didn't descend into really bad night for the Gas.

Ryan Loft (for Gibson on 60') - 7

Despite cutting a lonely figure up top, he looked lively and caused a few moments of concern for the Argyle backline. Chased lost causes and showed the right attitude.

James Connolly (for Hoole on 60') - 7

Had a really difficult day at Port Vale on Saturday and these were difficult circumstances to enter into with the game pretty much gone and the home crowd roaring, but he stood tall and ensured Rovers took no further damage on the scoreline.

Harry Anderson (for Marquis on 74') - 6

His fresh legs and positive intend were noticeable as the speed of the game slowed. Kept trying to the end.

Not used: Jed Ward, Scott Sinclair.

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