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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Scunthorpe: Evans, Anderson and Collins heroic in win for ages

James Belshaw - 6

Was lucky to get away with a poor pass that was intercepted by Joe Nuttall, but Connor Taylor stepped in to help out. Had absolutely nothing to do in the second half, watching a spectator as the Gas pulled off the unthinkable. A low rating on the final day purely because he was not involved in the game, but an incredible season for the goalkeeper.

Harry Anderson - 9

A rampant present on the right side, causing countless moments of danger and delivering a pinpoint cross for the sixth goal.

Connor Taylor - 9

Against such a youthful Scunthorpe side, it was obvious from as early as the warm-up that his aerial threat would be maximised. Had one chance to head home before he did get his third goal of the season, nodding Elliot Anderson's measured cross beyond Owen Foster. Scunthorpe rarely troubled the Gas' defences, but Taylor was on hand to help out Belshaw after a misjudged pass.

James Connolly - 8

Never found himself troubled and moved the ball swiftly to Rovers' flair players.

Trevor Clarke - 7

With Rovers so dominant, he was on the fringes. Defensively solid on the rare occasions Scunthorpe ventured into Rovers' half. Was substituted late on.

Glenn Whelan - 8

Orchestrated the game superbly from the centre of the park. The ideal player to replace the talismanic Paul Coutts.

Luke Thomas - 7

Should have scored a goal or two for himself, but did a lot to stretch Scunthorpe's deep defence and help create chances. Pressed brilliantly off the ball, as ever.

Antony Evans - 10

Heroic performance. Was bright without producing in the first half, though he was rightly puzzled when Thomas didn't play him in when clear on goal. In the second half, however, Evans was simply sensational, scoring Rovers' fourth and fifth.

His first was a touch of pure class, finding the bottom corner with the outside of his boot from 18 yards. The second was a pinpoint free-kick from 25 yards. Evans followed that with a sublime assist, delivering perfect crosses for Aaron Collins and Elliot Anderson. Simply incredible.

Sam Finley - 8

Will wonder how he didn't get on the scoresheet himself, but he was influential in the middle of the park and helped power Rovers to a win for the ages.

Elliot Anderson - 9

Was in full flight from the off, causing countless problems down the left side and laying on Rovers' first two goals. First, his driven cross struck the unfortunate Oliver Lobley and ricocheted in. Then, a more measured delivery landed perfectly on the head of Connor Taylor. He threatened time and again in the second half before nodding home the all-important seventh goal that led the Gas to promotion.

Aaron Collins - 9

Was seen in tears at full time after another telling performance. One of the many heroes. Worked excellently off the ball in the first period to force errors from a nervous Scunthorpe defence. Got Rovers going in the second half, spearing a shot into the corner from 18 yards to make it 3-0. Then he made it a brace by tapping home Harry Anderson's pinpoint cross to put the Gas six ahead.

Substitutes

Sam Nicholson (for Clarke 72') - 7

Gave Rovers an extra body in the final third when they needed goals.

Josh Grant (for Thomas 90') - N/A

Leon Clarke (for Evans on 90') - N/A

Subs not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Alex Rodman, Harvey Saunders, Ryan Loft

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