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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Plymouth Argyle: Loft colossal as Coburn makes instant impact

James Belshaw - 7

Will have spent half time pondering how he upset the football gods after watching two sublime long-range strikes fly into his top right corner, leaving him with absolutely no chance of keeping either out. But he made an important save from Finn Azaz at 2-1 down at a moment when a third goal for Argyle would have derailed the comeback charge.

Luca Hoole - 6

Was not culpable in either goal conceded in the first half, but he was sacrificed at the break as Barton chased the game and the manager was vindicated with move to put Harry Anderson at right-back sparking Rovers' response.

Bobby Thomas - 8

Showed he is more than just a strong defender by showing vision to pick out the run of Collins with a lofted through ball, but the striker did not convert the chance. He is a huge threat from set plays and he was so unlucky to see his header denied by Cooper late in the second half.

Lewis Gibson - 8

This was a hugely stretched game, particularly in the second half, but the Everton loanee stayed composed. Rovers actually gave up very few chances in this game, and Gibson was solid once again.

Lewis Gordon - 8

Grows into the shirt with each performance. Had a difficult assignment taking on the lively wing-back Bali Mumba, but Gordon was up for the challenge. Defended expertly and showed the development of his attacking game by pressing really high and posing a threat on the left flank, cutting back a good pass for Loft that led to a chance.

Jordan Rossiter - 8

Here, there and everywhere in his usual tenacious fashion and it was his smart reverse pass that got Loft in behind in the lead-up to Rovers' equaliser. His snappy nature was perfect as the game got stretched.

Sam Finley (c) - 7

Did a bit of everything and was a fitting owner of the captain's armband. Drove his team forward and linked the play before starting to run out of Gas at the death, evidence of an almighty shift, but to his enormous credit he dropped deeper and ploughed on to see his team to a valuable point.

Antony Evans - 8

His delivery from set-plays was excellent all afternoon, but that was far from the sum of his performance. His passing range was brilliant and he played several incisive balls in behind. Well and truly back in form.

Harry Anderson - 8

Back in the starting lineup after scoring in midweek and he offered a good outlet on the right flank, but he could have done more to steer his header on target after rising highest to meet an Evans corner shortly before half time. He was moved to right-back at half time and it changed the game. Anderson was electric running forward from deep and he played an excellent pass to send Collins in behind for Rovers' first goal.

Ryan Loft - 9

Up there with his best performances in a Rovers shirt. His power gave Argyle's backline a difficult afternoon, creating platforms to attack for the Gas. He drew a couple of excellent saves from Cooper and created the equaliser with an assist that was Premier League quality. He mustered a sensational backheel from Rossiter's reverse pass and it set the detonator charge for Collins to blow the doors off the defence and the roof off the Mem. Gave his team everything but a goal of his own.

Aaron Collins - 8

Posed a threat from the off but he will be disappointed that his shot was so close to goalkeeper Cooper after being played in on goal by Bobby Thomas at 1-0 down. But he more than redeemed himself in the second half with the assist for Coburn's goal before equalising with a predatory toe poke beyond Cooper. That's 16 goal involvements in 15 league games for the Welshman.

Substitutes

Josh Coburn (for Hoole on 46') - 8

Came up with the crucial goal just after being introduced at half time to give the Gas a route back into the game. Ran the channels so hard thereafter, giving messrs Lonwijk and Galloway a torrid afternoon.

James Gibbons (for Anderson on 65') - 7

Looked like he was brought on to shore things up after Rovers levelled, but he made a good impact in attack and defence. Gibbons being benched shows the state of the squad right now; Barton has depth at his disposal.

Luke McCormick (for Collins on 82') - 7

Steadied the ship in midfield with the game taking a chaotic turn in the second half.

Scott Sinclair (for Loft on 89) - NA

It was written in the stars for him to win it, but only a very difficult chance came his way and he fired high and wide from a narrow angle. A special moment when he came on, with exciting times to come.

Not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Trevor Clarke, Harvey Saunders.

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