Fleetwood Town v Rovers.Match Thread.

1-2 Ward GTFI

Radio Bristol reckon it was a cross,rather than shot.
Obviously a goal,but was it a cross or shot?

Gibbons on for Collins.Anderson for Finley.

1 2 victory!

UTG!

Get in FT 1-2 Come on you Gas!

I hope Wardy signs for next season BT.

A good win, I think JB got the half-time subs spot on. Three away wins on the bounce, now let's turn a couple of the big boys over at The Mem.

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Fleetwood: Gibson excellent as subs make big difference again..By Sam Frost Bristol Rovers reporter

James Belshaw - 7
For the second game in succession, he was well protected by his defence. He faced a single shot on target, which happened to be the opening goal from Stockley. Belshaw could do nothing about that close-range header, but it was a quiet afternoon otherwise, so much so that he might have gotten away with watching his beloved Notts County against Wrexham on his phone. Did the basics well and was tidy with his feet.

Luca Hoole - 8
Played a big part in the build-up phases as the Gas took a grip of possession and he shut down his flank to ensure there was very little service for Stockley to work with in open play.

James Connolly - 8
Has had a difficult season, but this was among his best performances of the campaign. Stockley and Marriott are a tough duo to play against, particularly when Fleetwood focussed heavily on long balls and set plays to create their attacks. Connolly was assertive in his challenges and looked after the ball with care.

Lewis Gibson - 8
Scored his first professional goal and it came against his former club. Gibson had threatened to score once or twice earlier in the season, but this time he was in the right place at the right time and slammed home the all-important equaliser. Defensively, he was as assured as ever, bringing a sense of calm to the backline.

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Lewis Gibson of Bristol Rovers celebrates his first career goal.

Lewis Gordon - 8
Establishing himself as a fine player and he is showing new sides to his game as his confidence and form grow. Defensively, he was rock solid, blocking numerous crosses to deny service for Stockley and Jack Marriott, and this was one of Gordon's best attacking performances, too, curling in two pinpoint crosses just before half time for Collins and Evans, but neither could convert.

Lamare Bogarde - 7
Loves a challenge, this boy, and he times them well, too. Roused the crowd with a thumping tackle that generated an audible thud of the ball in the first half, but throughout the contest, he was full of energy and he was efficient in regaining possession and getting the ball forward.

Grant Ward - 8
His first goal for the club, albeit in somewhat fortuitous circumstances with his delivery into the box catching Jay Lynch out and bending into the net. But he deserved it after a strong first-half performance – and a good run of form in recent weeks – as he was deployed in a more advanced role and caused plenty of problems for the Fleetwood defence with his intelligent movement.

Sam Finley (c) - 7
With Ward playing as Rovers' most advanced midfielder, the captain was stationed in a deeper role and he provided the required security to the back four. On the ball, he was professional, looking after the ball and keeping Rovers in control.

Antony Evans - 6
Had a busy first half as he saw plenty of the ball on the right flank and he posed some awkward questions for the hosts, but his final act was a header from Gordon's cross that bounced wide of the near post in first-half stoppage time. B***** replaced him at the break as the manager opted for a more physical attacking presence.

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Antony Evans of Bristol Rovers

Aaron Collins - 7
Showed a hint of a lack of confidence in the first half when he was indecisive in good areas, but he was still proving to be a big threat for the Fleetwood defence. He was frustrated to head straight into Lynch's arms just before the break, but Rovers' top scorer played a big part in the equaliser. He and Finley engineered a short free-kick for Collins to take aim from long range and in awkward conditions with the pitch wet and the wind swirling, he took the high-percentage option of blasting a shot that bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper. He couldn't hold it and, eventually, Gibson finished it off.

John Marquis - 6
Grafted hard in the first half without reward and he would have been frustrated to send a header high over the bar from Collins' cross, albeit it was a difficult chance. Replaced at the interval.

Substitutes

Josh Coburn (for Marquis on 46') - 7
Brought renewed physicality up front and was unlucky to hit the post in the scramble that preceded Gibson's leveller.

Ryan Loft (for Evans on 46') - 8
B***** played his cards wisely by refreshing his frontline for the second half with the wind at Rovers' backs and it provided the conviction their first-half performance was lacking. Loft may not have got a goal or an assist, but he was a real handful for the defence and he played a big part in swaying the game Rovers' way.

James Gibbons (for Collins on 82) - 6
Helped Rovers across the line as a late defensive substitute.

Harry Anderson (for Finley on 90') - N/A
Good to see him back from injury.