James Belshaw - 7
Was clawing the ball out of his net inside 90 seconds, but he was left with no chance of making a save after Harry Charsley's shot took a wicked deflection off striker Jamie Proctor and into the net. Was busy without making many saves, coming up with important catches and punches under pressure.
Luca Hoole - 8
Bombed forward often in the first half, but his best work came after the break by blocking several crosses when Vale piled bodies into the box.
Connor Taylor - 8
Booked early doors but it was worth it for Rovers. His trip on James Wilson prevented a clear chance for the hosts to go 2-0 up. Recovered from a nervy start to win numerous towering headers to keep Vale out in the second half.
James Connolly - 9
Enjoyed a moment he will never forget, scoring his first professional goal. He was in the right place to tuck home Antony Evans' delicious cross to put Rovers ahead. So composed at the other end of the pitch, too, to help Rovers to a massive win.
Josh Grant - 8
Gave Rovers an extra body in midfield at times by cutting in from left-back. He could have done better with a good first-half chance, but overall he was part of a brilliant battling team performance.
Paul Coutts (c) - 10
You won't see a better big-game performance from a League Two midfielder. Coutts was almost perfect. Rovers were in desperate need of a foothold in the game after a horror start and their captain delivered. He mustered a contender for assist of the season when he stole the ball deep in Port Vale territory and produced a perfect pass for Elliot Anderson to level the scores in the 10th minute. Never seemed to give the ball away, releasing so much pressure. A true captain's performance in Rovers' biggest game of the season.
Harry Anderson - 8
His fuel tank never runs out. He charged up and down his flank all afternoon, which was particularly handy at the death with Anderson running the ball into the corners.
Antony Evans - 8
Some hurried passes early on as Rovers struggled for momentum, but he produced a moment of supreme quality to help put the Gas ahead. His cross put the chance on a plate for Connolly to tap in. Incredibly dogged thereafter.
Sam Finley - 8
Had to wait until stoppage time to make a trademark contribution in possession, releasing Ryan Loft for the clinching goal. Supreme performance off the ball. He collected countless second balls, stole possession often and made an important foul on Wilson to deny a clear chance.
Elliot Anderson - 8
His scoring streak continued with another excellent finish. His left-footed blast into the roof of the net made it three in three for the Newcastle United starlet and 1-1 after 10 minutes. Not his most influential performance, but he still made a vital contribution.
Aaron Collins - 7
A familiar theme for the forward. Maximum effort and some promising touches, but not the gilt-edged chances he would be after. This was a day for hard graft above all else, though, and Collins provided that from the front.
Substitutes
Nick Anderton (for Evans on 83') - 8
His towering header sent Rovers on the counter to clinch the victory in stoppage time. Shored things up at the back.
Ryan Loft (for Collins on 83') - 8
What a time for your first Rovers goal, Ryan Loft. A brilliant finish, too, latching onto Finley's pass and dinking the ball over Aidan Stone and into the net to spark scenes of bedlam in the away end.
Glenn Whelan (for Coutts on 89') - N/A
Not used: Jed Ward, Trevor Clarke, Luke Thomas, Sam Nicholson.
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