Jed Ward - 7
Was a spectator for long periods. Would be relieved to see Andy Williams' effort clear the crossbar when well-placed to score, and again when Lewis Freestone blazed over after some pinball following a corner, but Cheltenham created very little else for the 18-year-old to deal with.
Did the bread and butter stuff well and, when finally tested, he made an excellent full-stretch stop to deny Taylor Perry. Will be claiming he got a fingertip on Perry's late strike, which cracked the crossbar.
Harry Anderson - 8
Rovers aren't lacking a willing runner in Harry Anderson, who is racking up the minutes already this season. Another solid performance this time at right wing-back after a stint on the left, doing his defensive work handily. A throwback player in his way, dribbling with intent whenever afforded the chance.
Connor Taylor - 8
Smooth in possession and dominant in the air, backing up his strong showing at Barrow with another good outing.
Alfie Kilgour - 7
Pleasing to see him back in the starting XI, and he performed well. Didn't lack for confidence, using his shoulder on one occasion to pass to teammate.
Cian Harries - 7
Stretched the Cheltenham defence with some testing long passes, and he was untroubled in defence.
Harvey Saunders - 8
The boy loves Papa John's! The top scorer in last season's competition got on the scoresheet at the first opportunity in this year's EFL Trophy, bursting into the box and drilling into the bottom corner to put the game to bed. Did very well out of position as a left wing-back, causing Cheltenham trouble throughout.
Josh Grant - 7
Asserted himself in the way he has done occasionally, and Gasheads would like to see him do it more often. Showed confidence to clip long passes off both feet. One surge from midfield to get after the ball and steal possession had the crowd pleased.
Sam Finley - 7
Steered the midfield well as Rovers won control of possession. Was equally aggressive with his passing as his challenges, always looking to play forward.
Sion Spence - 7
Was a tad quiet before surging into life for the opening goal. He went down under a muscular challenge, but somehow kept the ball and kept it in play. He quickly rose to his feet and dug out a pinpoint cross for Nicholson to head home.
Sam Nicholson - 7
Was lively without causing much danger until he rose high to loop a header into the top corner with the goalkeeper rooted to give Rovers the lead. Barton will be delighted to get 74 minutes into his star man.
Aaron Collins - 7
Was unlucky. Ran the channels really hard and brought teammates into play. A goal should not be far away for the former Forest Green Rovers forward.
Subs
Zain Westbrooke (for Nicholson on 74') - 6
Ought to have done better after being played in by Collins, but recovered well to make an important challenge a minute or two later.
Ryan Jones (for Spence on 75') - 6
Some nice touches.
Cam Hargreaves (for Finley on 76') - 6
Tenacious.
Not used: James Belshaw, Mark Hughes, Nick Anderton, Zain Walker
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