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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Shrewsbury: Ward impressive, subs impactful in tight defeat

Ellery Balcombe - 5

Beaten by a thumping header inside three minutes from former Gas skipper Luke Leahy and Rob Street's accurate strike early in the second half. Did not face any other shots on target. Got lucky with a slack pass that was intercepted by Killian Phillips shortly before Coburn pulled one back.

James Gibbons - 6

Got a firm word from his manager early doors to deliver his crosses quicker and he obliged with a pair of decent deliveries that Loft nor Marquis could not force on target. Taken off with Rovers chasing the game.

Jarell Quansah - 5

Left exposed and beaten for pace as Rob Street doubled the lead early in the second half with a suckerpunch against the run of play. Got close to getting his head on something in the closing stages.

Lewis Gibson - 7

Carried the ball forward to start off several attacks in the second half and created a gilt-edged chance that Luca Hoole headed over the bar.

Lewis Gordon - 6

The usual Lewis Gordon showing of reliable defensive work and solid yet unspectacular display with the ball. Sacrificed in the quintuple change at 2-0 down.

Lamare Bogarde - 6

Looked after the ball smartly as Rovers started to find their stride in the first half, but his night was up as soon as the second goal went in and Barton chase the game with five changes.

Sam Finley (c) - 6

Became more influential as Rovers got a grip of the game and kept the ball moving as they chased an elusive leveller.

Grant Ward - 7

A strong performance in defeat. After a sluggish start from the team, Ward played a big role in getting them into gear in the first half. Looked capable of creating or scoring himself, seeing a couple of rasping shots blocked and had a wicked long-range strike pawed away by Marko Marosi.

John Marquis - 5

Linked nicely with Loft at times, but his influence in the final third was limited and his number was raised among a raft of changes as the hour approached with Rovers trailing 2-0.

Ryan Loft - 6

The coaches see him as a player who requires a run of games to find his groove, and he looked to be back in rhythm with a bright first half, providing Rovers with a platform to build attacks. He linked well with his strike partners to create some of Rovers' better moments and had Marosi worried with a looping header that landed on the roof of the net. A bit unfortunate to go off early in the second half.

Josh Coburn - 7

A busy man in the first half with the Middlesbrough loanee involved in the lion's share of Rovers' best moves forward. Will feel he was hard done by with referee Lee Swabey turning down two strong penalty appeals. Ended a near four-month goal drought with an opportunistic finish from close range, but he will sit on the coach home lamenting a superb sprawling save from Marosi that denied him the equaliser. Nonetheless, this was Coburn's strongest performance for a while.

Substitutes

Scott Sinclair (for Bogarde on 56') - 7

Claimed an assist as his cross was tucked away by Coburn. Brought a bit more potency in wide areas.

Aaron Collins (for Loft on 57') - 7

Menaced from the moment he was introduced and he would have had one of the assists of the season had Marosi not denied Coburn.

Antony Evans (for Marquis on 57') - 7

Upped the intensity and delivered dangerously into the area on numerous occasions. A good response to his red card.

Calum Macdonald (for Gordon on 57') - 6

Saw a wicked cross deflect narrowly wide.

Luca Hoole (for Gibbons on 57') - 5

Got himself involved from the off but he will know he had to do better with Gibson's cross when he found himself unmarked.

Not used: Jed Ward, James Connolly.

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