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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Fleetwood: Collins, Coburn and Finley superb in dramatic draw

James Belshaw - 6

Will be unhappy with his defence about the build-up to the opener, not dealing with the ball into the box initially before applying a half-hearted clearance and then failing to shut down goalscorer Shaun Rooney. The finish left the keeper with no chance. The same could be said for the winner. More could have been done to block the cross from his defence but Rooney's header was perfectly placed for the equaliser.

James Gibbons - 5

Had a quiet first half and was sacrificed at half time to enable a change in shape.

Bobby Thomas - 7

Rovers' defence did not look assured in the first half, but after shifting to a three at the interval Thomas started to thrive. He got forward well and helped build attacks.

Lewis Gibson - 7

Was under plenty of pressure from Callum Morton when Danny Andrew delivered into the area for the opener, but Gibson ought to have dealt with the cross with more authority. Spurned a good chance at the other end soon after, sending a free header over the bar from Evans' cross. Rovers moved to a back three in the second half and Gibson benefitted. Performed strongly.

Lewis Gordon - 7

Did some good work on the ball in the first half but he will be disappointed when he was beaten too easily by Rooney before he fired into the far corner. Like many players, he was transformed in the second half. Burst forward time and again to cause problems for the defence.

Sam Finley (c) - 8

Moved the ball with a touch of class all day and that paid dividends in the second half. He was unlucky not to have an assist against his name when he played Collins in with a superb first-time ball over the top, but that combination combined to create the winner. Finley's cross gave Collins a chance and the striker came up with a sensational header. Denied a sweet win against his former club at the death.

Jordan Rossiter - 8

Booed by the visiting fans at the start of he game but he showed his former club what they are missing. Was outstanding, particularly in the second half, when Rovers applied the squeeze.

Antony Evans - 7

The quality of his delivery was superb all afternoon and on another day he could have assisted a couple of set-piece goals. Rovers upped their intensity levels massively in the second half and Evans played a big role in that, playing a pivotal role in the high press.

Scott Sinclair - 7

Offered a couple of injections of speed in the first period but at the break he was tasked with moving to wing-back and he took up the role brilliantly. Offered the width Rovers needed and helped stretch a resolute defence, while sticking to his task defensively.

Aaron Collins - 8

Kept relatively quiet in the first half but he was at the fore in the second. He created Rovers' equaliser with a fine low cross, but then did everything but score himself until he made a giant leap to somehow rise above tall centre-back Josh Earl and head beyond Jay Lynch to give the Gas the lead. It should have been the winner. Missed a lot of chances, but he was unplayable at times.

Josh Coburn - 8

Had a disappointing first half, but he was transformed after the break. He set the tone by shrugging off Drew Baker and creating a good chance for Collins. Soon after, he got the leveller, finishing superbly from Collins' cross. He was at close range, but he would have expected the defender in front of him to clear. When he missed it, Coburn was clinical.

Substitutes

James Connolly (for Gibbons on 46') - 8

Steadied the defence when he was introduced and gave the Gas a solid platform to chase the game.

Luca Hoole (for Sinclair on 86') - NA

Beaten too easily to allow space for the cross that led to the equaliser.

John Marquis (for Collins on 89') - NA

Harvey Saunders (for Coburn on 90+4') - NA

Not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Trevor Clarke, Luke McCormick.

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