James Belshaw - 7
Was a mere spectator for the most part, save for one long ball that he mopped up outside his area to snuff out a rare Burton attack. Rarely called into action. Made a good save late on to deny Quevin Castro a consolation goal.
James Gibbons - 7
Neat and tidy performance from the full-back. Was hardly tested in a defensive capacity, but it was his coolness in his own box that sent the Gas on the counter for Collins' second and Rovers' fourth.
Luca Hoole - 7
Angered his manager with some hurried balls forward in the first half, but that was a minor blemish on an otherwise solid afternoon in the centre of defence. Many tougher defensive tests to come, but a good showing.
James Connolly - 8
Was one of several queuing up in blue and white to bundle home Evans' curling cross to make it 2-0. Not the first time he's done that, scoring a very similar goal at Port Vale last term. Moved the ball smartly out from defence and never found himself in a moment's bother defensively.
Lewis Gordon - 8
A debut to be proud of. Offered security on the left, which was impressive given the speed of Jonny Smith. Defended aggressively and joined the attack often, with a cross just out of the reach of Marquis.
Sam Finley (c) - 9
Masterful in the midfield, showing just how much he was missed against Forest Green Rovers a week ago. Burton gifted the Gas control with the early red card, but Finley was the smartest player on the park and made sure Rovers never ceded the upper hand.
Antony Evans - 8
Got Rovers off to the perfect start with a wicked free-kick in the fourth minute that was too powerful for Ben Garratt in the Brewers' goal. Evans also produced the assist for the second goal and created countless problems for the defence throughout.
Harry Anderson - 8
The Rhino, as his teammates call him, delivered as advertised on Saturday with a relentless performance up and down the right side. He pounced on a loose ball and teed up Collins for the third and was hard done by with some of the officiating in the second half, getting little support from the referee when he was bundled over a few times.
Aaron Collins - 9
Unstoppable. Got the third goal that put Rovers out of sight with a wonderful finish on his left. He isolated a defender and turned him inside out before lashing into the roof of the net with his left foot. A second goal followed in similar fashion, running at Deji Oshilaja before jinking inside and firing into the bottom corner at the near post. Looked certain to get a hat-trick when he left a pair of defenders on their backsides in the second half, but the Brewers made a scrambling block and Collins had to settle for a brace. Eight goals in his last four league appearances for Collins, who is in incredible form.
Ryan Loft - 7
Did not get the goal he would have wanted, but this was a strong, battling performance from the big man. Hassled defenders throughout and he has shown he can give Barton an extra option in terms of setup, playing alongside Marquis with two workhorse strikers.
John Marquis - 8
He was the man who was felled for the red card inside 30 seconds, with Conor O'Shaughnessy tripping him as he was about to shoot. Showed his superb engine throughout and set Collins loose for the fourth goal. Deserved one of his own, but he was denied by the crossbar. The fans sang his name time and again; a show of appreciation for his relentless efforts.
Substitutes
Glenn Whelan (for Finley on 66') - 7
Did the job the manager wanted, keeping Rovers in control and allowing Finley to have a rest.
Harvey Saunders (for Gordon on 73') - 6
Was prominent when he came on, but he will be disappointed not to score after a couple of good chances came his way.
Alfie Kilgour (for Loft on 89') - N/A
Jerry Lawrence (for Evans on 89') - N/A
A first-team debut for the second-year scholar.
Not used: Jed Ward, Ryan Jones, Harvey Greenslade.
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