Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Accrington: Gas…

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Accrington: Gas breached too easily again in disappointing loss

James Belshaw - 6

Was relieved to see Shaun Walley's lob strike the post, but he was beaten by a deflection and a close-range flick in the second. Had no chance with either of those moments on what was otherwise a quiet afternoon with a shortage of action in either area.

Luca Hoole - 5

Had Rovers' best chance of scoring in the first half but he could not force his shot through a clutch of bodies in the mouth of the goal. By and large, he was composed defensively, but the opening goal came in the channel between him and Connolly.

James Connolly - 4

Struggled under the high, straight ball all afternoon and he was lucky to get away with it when Shaun Walley ran onto a long punt that the centre-back could not deal with, being saved by the post. His form has dipped and you sense he would benefit greatly from some fresh faces around him at the back.

James Gibbons - 6

Save for a kamikaze clearance in the first half that could have led to something dangerous, this was a decent performance on the left of the back three. Defended well and carried the ball forwards when he could.

Luke McCormick - 6

The departures of Bobby Thomas and Alfie Kilgour before the game, coupled with some injuries, left Rovers short on numbers at the back and McCormick was the man tasked with filling in at right wing-back. Did not let anyone down but Rovers missed a recognised option on the right flank.

Paul Coutts (c) - 6

Kept it ticking over in a game short of quality. Most good moves had Coutts involved as he dropped into a quarterback role.

Sam Finley - 5

Off colour against his former club. His late booking summed up a frustrating afternoon when nothing quite came off for one of Rovers' most dependable players.

Paul Coutts of Bristol Rovers. (Gary Oakley/JMP)

Antony Evans - 5

Struggled to get into a very scrappy first half in which neither side pieced together passes with any success. Barton had to change something at half time and Evans was the man to pay the price as another striker was sent off in the shape of Ryan Loft.

Scott Sinclair - 5

Another man who just couldn't get into the contest and make a meaningful contribution. His opportunities on the ball were limited and he was well-contained when he tried to make inroads.

Aaron Collins - 6

Posed a threat and came up with Rovers' best effort on goal, albeit it was a late palm-stinger for Savin that likely would have changed nothing had it flown in. Starved of platforms for long periods, limiting his ability to create or score. Did deliver an excellent cross that was just out of Coburn's reach at 1-0 down.

Josh Coburn - 7

Despite a lack of service for much of the contest, he made as much of the straps he got as he could, considering he was manhandled by Harvey Rodgers all afternoon with no help from the referee. Desperately unlucky to see a Collins cross go no more than a couple of inches past his outstretched leg that would have levelled the scores in a game-changing moment.