James Belshaw - 8
Oxford created their fair share of pressure, but Belshaw had relatively few saves to make. His best work came when commanding his box. He was so calm on the ball and swept up brilliantly.
Harry Anderson - 8
Expended every drop of energy for the cause. His versatility proves valuable once again. He made a crucial interception from Marcus Browne's early cutback with Billy Bodin poised to tap in. Ended as he started with a crucial intervention after Coutts lost the ball.
Luca Hoole - 8
Defended so maturely against a stacked Oxford attack. Adjusted brilliantly when Rovers went to a back three, getting forward well. Danced into the box as the clock struck 80 and he was unlucky to see his wicked cross sliced behind.
James Connolly - 8
The leader of the backline these days and he is excelling in that role. Forging a good partnership with Hoole that kept Taylor, Bodin and co pretty quiet.
Lewis Gordon - 7
The left-back followed up a stellar debut with a good home debut. Made multiple important interceptions in the first half and showed the comfort on the ball that his manager is looking for.
Glenn Whelan - 8
Did a crucial job for his manager that should not go unnoticed. With several of Barton's midfielders short of match fitness, Whelan played from the start and was dogged for his 59 minutes on the pitch. He policed the midfield and allowed Barton to bring Rossiter on for the final half hour, easing him back from injury.
Sam Finley (c) - 8
Not his flashiest performance, but this was a real welcome to League One for Rovers against a team that can dominate the ball and has promotion as their target. He managed the ball in tight areas and was unlucky not to score with a fine effort from distance, drawing a top save from Simon Eastwood. That mattered little, though, because his excellent through ball unlocked the Oxford defence for the winner.
Harvey Saunders - 8
Unselfish in nature and it was his run from the set piece that opened up space for Rovers to carve Oxford open with an excellent move. Even the scorching heat could not affect his relentless engine and he deserved his standing ovation when he was substituted. He was the fans' hero on Saturday.
Antony Evans - 7
Played a really useful hand late on, showing all his nous to kill the clock. Some of his work on the ball lacked precision, but he still had moments of class sprinkled in.
Aaron Collins - 8
Caused several moments of panic in the first half, frightening the Oxford defence with his direct running. He timed his run perfectly to get on the end of Finley's through ball. The first time he has not scored in five league games after a ridiculous run of eight in four, but this was still a great shift.
John Marquis - 8
Made a nuisance of himself at every opportunity, making life very uncomfortable for centre-backs Elliott Moore and Stuart Findlay. Got the winner with a good stooping header, positioning himself perfectly to capitalise on Collins' cross.
Substitutes
Jordan Rossiter (for Whelan on 59') - 8
Filled in expertly for Whelan in the centre of the park, putting out several fires and disrupting Oxford's build-up play.
Paul Coutts (for Finley on 70') - 7
The captain was welcomed back with a loud ovation and he was managing the closing stages in trademark fashion, although he was lucky to get away with a slack pass that gifted Oxford a chance to level
Lewis Gibson (for Gordon on 79') - 7
Won his headers, keeping Rovers out of danger.
Ryan Loft (for Marquis on 79') - 6
Did brilliantly to force a big error from Elliott Moore, leading to a chance to clinch it at the depth, but the finish lacked conviction.
Josh Grant (for Saunders on 79') - 7
Neat and tidy in the closing stages, adding extra security as a left wing-back.
Not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Alfie Kilgour.
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