James Belshaw - 6
Normally so dependable playing out from the back, but he made a mess of one pass in the 26th minute, finding the feet of former Gas striker Tom Nichols, who should have scored but his effort was too close and Belshaw atoned with the save. If Belshaw was fortunate in the first half, he was very unlucky in the second when he saved well to keep out Nichols' first shot from close range, but the ball ricocheted kindly for the Crawley skipper to tuck away the rebound.
Luca Hoole - 7
Was back at right-back with James Gibbons out injured, and it was like Hoole had never left after his two-game stint in the centre of the defence. Handled his defensive duties well and got forward occasionally, although he lacked consistency in his delivery. His best cut-back was curled over the bar by Collins. Hoole could be needed at right-back if Gibbons is not fit for Saturday.
Alfie Kilgour - 6
Looked to catch the manager's eye with the aggressive brand of defending on the halfway line that Barton likes to see. Important hooked clearance to deny Nichols. Was having a strong game but he was one of a handful of Rovers players caught out in the aftermath of what appeared to be a handball in the middle of the park. Kilgour stepped into midfield to compete for a ball played forward, and Nichols profited in the space behind and eventually took the chance. Came off late on with cramp after a disrupted pre-season.
James Connolly - 7
Smooth performance from Connolly, who gave Rovers plenty of control and positioned himself well throughout his contest. Not his fault that the players further forward could not make more of their opportunities.
Lewis Gordon - 5
A quieter night for the new signing after an impressive debut on Saturday. There were some lax touches that ceded possession and sent Crawley on the attack, and Barton appeared to gesture for the former Brentford B defender to open up more on his left side and get forward before he was taken off.
Sam Finley (c) - 7
His passing, by and large, was accurate and he was in complete control when he had the ball at his feet. Was taken off after the hour to protect him as he returns from injury, but Rovers will feel the benefit when he is up to 90-minute match fitness.
Antony Evans - 6
Cut a frustrated figure in the first half, with good service for teammates being wasted, typified when he wrapped a pass into the feet of Loft, who could not get it under control. Kept trying to create, but nothing quite came off for him.
Harry Anderson - 5
His miscommunication with Loft when they both left an inviting cross from Collins to each other summed up Rovers' night. Battled hard and showed plenty of attacking intent,
John Marquis - 6
Seemed to get his wires crossed with Collins when clear on goal in the 23rd minute, allowing Ludwig Francillette to steal in and clear the danger. He did combine brilliantly with Collins for one second half attack, taking the ball on the half-turn and sending Rovers' top scorer free before his shot was saved by Addai. Moments of promise in a slightly withdrawn roll off the front line behind Loft, but he will be eager to get off the mark soon.
Aaron Collins - 6
Always looked dangerous without anything quite coming off for the 25-year-old, who had scored eight in four games before this. Crawley struggled to contain him and the moment he outmuscled George Francomb and went on the attack was a sighting of the centre-forward skills he learned last season. Crept into more central positions as the game went on, but he would be denied by Addai and the offside flag.
Ryan Loft - 5
Appeared to frustrate his manager on more than one occasion in the first half, with lax touches letting him down. He had to apologise to Evans for completely missing his touch from a pass that would have led to a shooting chance if he got it under control. The angle from the press box may have been misleading, but from first glance, he had to do much, much better with a cross that came his way a minute or so before Nichols scored the game-winning goal.
Substitutes
Glenn Whelan (for Finley on 64') - 5
Not an ideal solution for the manager with Finley having to protected as he returns from injury, meaning first-team coach/emergency player Whelan was required for a half-hour shift again. With Paul Coutts back on Saturday after suspension, Whelan could be kept on the bench.
Harvey Saunders (for Gordon on 64') - 5
Huffed and puffed without producing a moment of opportunity for himself or his teammates.
Ryan Jones (for Kilgour on 89') - N/A
Not used: Jed Ward, Malik Sesay, Charlie White, Lene Burden, Jerry Lawrence, Harvey Greenslade.
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