James Belshaw - 7
Delivered a brilliant first-half save to deny Ellis Harrison as he was at full stretch to keep out the former Rovers striker’s low effort, and kept out Conlon’s late strike. But beyond that was left with fielding back passes and taking goal kicks and Vale offered so little of a consistent attacking threat. Did receive a few choice words from Barton at one point for not distributing the ball quicker after catching a corner.
Bobby Thomas - 6
Had a mixed first half, with a fine tackle to deny Dennis Politic when he was well-placed to score but there were also a few errors in there as well from the Burnley loanee. After the break he was solid, though, his reading of the game impeccable.
James Connolly - 6
Hard to judge because, a bit like Belshaw, most of his afternoon was spent as a distributor at the back, feeding the ball into midfield. That said, Harrison did make his life uncomfortable on a few occasions but, in the main, he dealt with the threat of the Welshman.
Lewis Gibson - 6
To continue a theme, had little actual defending to do on the ground but did leap well to deal with the few corners and attacking free-kicks Vale won.
Scott Sinclair - 6
Just wasn’t in the game enough to influence proceedings, whether that be due to his own performance or a lack of service, it’s probably a bit of both. Played very high up the pitch, almost as a winger more so than a wing-back, but couldn’t find the necessary penetration to get behind a disciplined backline. Did waste a great chance in the closing stages after Coburn’s shot was saved.
Paul Coutts - 6
Welcome back, skip. Calm and composed, as you’d expect, in possession, he kept things simple and was always a willing option for the defence. After the first 30 minutes or so it looked like he’d be running the show but Vale locked things up in the middle of the pitch and Coutts wasn’t able to play forward perhaps as much as he’d like.
Jordan Rossiter - 6
Not bad, by any stretch, but also not at his usual standards as Rovers needed a sort of driving midfield performance but outside of one break in the first-half he was mostly shackled. Tried to get the Gas going throughout but it was just one of those days when he couldn’t quite find the way through.
Lewis Gordon - 6
A bright return to the side as Vale’s lack of attack down the right gave him the freedom to get forward. Made two telling runs into the box to set up a shooting chance but unfortunately his first touch ever so slightly let him down. It’s good to see that extra side to his game emerging more regularly though.
Antony Evans - 6
Was Rovers’ brightest spark in what was a largely flat first half, roaming into pockets and looking to make things happen but it didn’t quite work out. An exquisite dummy after the break sent Coburn clear but he was then substituted for Marquis as Barton looked to mix it up.
Aaron Collins - 7
His radar had been little off, whether it be when he was breaking down the flank and looking for a cross or when he cut inside and shaped to shoot. That said, Collins did appear the one to make things happen when he got on the ball in broken play, and so that proved to be as he pounced on a loose ball and drilled home a fine finish.
Josh Coburn - 7
Rovers’ best performer on the day as he led the line with real aggression and intelligence and was often on the wrong side of a few decisions as the Vale defenders poked, pulled and grabbed every piece of Coburn they could. Had a couple of sights of goal and looked dangerous throughout. A display of real maturity.
Substitutes
John Marquis (for Evans, 65) - 6
Gave Rovers a more conventional 1-2 punch up front and while he had been largely frustrated in his time on the pitch, he ultimately won the ball to set up Collins for the winner.
James Gibbons (for Sinclair, 90) - N/A
Glenn Whelan (for Collins, 90) - N/A
Subs not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Alfie Kilgour, Harvey Saunders, Luke McCormick
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