Ellery Balcombe - 4
Conceding a soft goal from the first meaningful shot you face is not an ideal start, but Balcombe could not keep out Dan Crowley's fierce strike which bounced awkwardly in front of him. From there, it was an afternoon of misfortune. He was beaten by a cruel deflection for the second and Donald Love's hit for the third was unstoppable. For the fourth, he may have wished he was off his line sooner to shut down Cole Stockton, but the fifth was a neat finish into the corner that he could not reach.
Luca Hoole - 4
Got into excellent positions early on, but did not make the most of his crossing chances and he was off target with a header just before the break. One of three men hauled off early in the second half.
Jarell Quansah - 6
The Liverpool prospect made a hugely impressive start to his senior debut. He was elegant, carrying the ball out of defence multiple times, and he displayed composure to play his way out of trouble under pressure from Michael Mellon. Despite the chaos around him, he was close to faultless until the dying embers, when he was beaten too easily by Adam Mayor for the fifth goal.
James Connolly - 4
Made a series of crucial blocks on an afternoon when the midfield in front of him was unable to provide anywhere near enough security. Looked like the man who deflected the all-important second goal into his own net.
James Gibbons - 4
His emotional gesticulations captured the mood. Busted a gut back and forth without much success and his slaps of the turf in frustration were understandable.
Paul Coutts (c) - 4
Struggled in the first half with Morecambe's playmakers playing off the back of Rovers' midfield duo to great effect, with Crowley, in particular, causing big problems. Coutts usually offers so much security in the heart of midfield, but he was short of his high standards here and he was withdrawn early in the second half.
Sam Finley - 4
In possession, Rovers' midfield lacked precision and control, and they were being exposed off the ball, too. Finley has turned in many fine performances for the Gas, but this was not one of them and he was taken off early in the second half.
Antony Evans - 5
A lively presence in the first half, producing one of Rovers' best moments when he chopped onto his left foot and forced a good save with a curling shot. His second half lasted just 12 minutes, though, after Rovers were blitzed by a rampant Morecambe.
Scott Sinclair - 4
A thorn in the left side of the Morecambe defence early doors, but Rovers failed to capitalise on those openings. Oversold himself in his attempts to cut out a short corner, allowing Donald Love to break in through the back door and apply a ruthless finish to make it 3-0. Sinclair did put a chance on a plate for Harry Anderson, who headed wide from close rage. A tame penalty miss from Sinclair summed up a grim afternoon.
Aaron Collins - 6
Looked capable in the first half without the service, but he made something for himself on the cusp of half time, controlling an awkward high ball and unleashing a volley that Ripley tipped onto the crossbar. Plugged away until the end and scored a consolation goal.
Josh Coburn - 5
Could not get into the game in the first half due to amid some physical from the Morecambe defence. Saw more of the ball after the break and he won a penalty, but it was already 4-0 by then. A day to forget.
Substitutes
Grant Ward (for Coutts on 57') - 5
Lost touch with Crowley for the fourth goal, but he looked decent om the ball and was unlucky not to score with a bullet from range that just cleared the crossbar.
Harry Anderson (for Evans on 57') - 5
Made an impact as he always does, but wasted a big chance to make it 3-1.
Ryan Loft (for Hoole on 57') - 5
Made things happen in the final third through perseverance, but the game was already gone.
John Marquis (for Coburn on 69') - 5
Tried to link the play to the very end without reward.
Luke McCormick (for Finley on 69') - 5
Got on the ball plenty, but the game was gone.
Not used: James Belshaw, Glenn Whelan.
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