Bristol Rovers player ratings v Derby County: 5/10 hooked off, after 'tough day' in League One defeat

The Gas were beat convincingly by Paul Warne's Rams at the Memorial Stadium.

Promotion pushing Derby County saw off Bristol Rovers 3-0 at the Mem in League One.

Dwight Gayle put the Rams ahead early in the second-half, before Tom Barkhuizen doubled their lead only minutes later.

Substitute Martyn Waghorn wrapped up proceedings as he tapped home from close range, which saw the visitors go second in the table.

Paul Warne's side unsurprisingly started the match the stronger of the two teams as Joe Ward put some dangerous crosses into Rovers territory, however the young Gas backline were resolute.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing saw his shot flash past Jed Ward's far post just before the half hour mark, as the visitors' pressure continued.

Gayle had the ball in the back of the net for County on 30 minutes, after brilliant play by Mendez-Laing and Louie Sibley, however the latter was flagged offside during the build-up.

Curtis Nelson had a big chance again for Paul Warne's side, after a short free-kick routine saw Mendez-Laing square the ball to the defender on the 12 yards out, but his effort was blocked by Rovers' defence and the contest went into the interval goalless.

Rovers started the second period brighter, however Derby finally took the lead 10 minutes into second-half. The Rams' initial corner wasn't dealt with and Barkhuizen's effort hit the bar, which left Gayle on hand to prod home from close range.

Barkhuizen soon doubled Derby's lead on the counter-attack. Mendez-Laing saw the former Preston winger with time and space, where he made no mistake firing past the helpless Ward.

The Rams almost had a third as Sonny Bradley met a deep corner at the back post, but the hosts were able to smuggle the ball away from just in front of their goal line.

Substitute John Marquis almost had an immediate impact, as his free header was saved by Joe Wildsmith, following a dangerous cross by the Gas.

Martyn Waghorn had a glorious chance to make it three for County with five minutes to go when Mendez-Laing teed up the substitute, however the striker blazed his effort over from close range.

The veteran did make amends as moments later as Korey Smith's low ball was flicked on by Kane Wilson, and the 34-year-old has the simple task of tapping home from two yards out.

Rovers were comfortably beaten on the day and here is how we felt the Gas players faired in their 3-0 defeat.

Player ratings:

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