Bristol Rovers player ratings after 'phenomenal' 8/10 and ten 7.5/10s leave Pirates delighted in Crawley win

Bristol Rovers returned to the Memorial Stadium looking to continue a remarkable run of form, with Steve Evans’ side chasing a sixth consecutive Sky Bet League Two victory as they welcomed Crawley Town to BS7. The Gas secured their fifth straight win for the first time since March 2016 on Easter Monday, coming from behind to beat Harrogate Town thanks to goals from Shaq Forde and Ellis Harrison, the latter sealing it from the penalty spot.

Home form has been the backbone of Rovers’ resurgence, with seven wins from their last eight at The Mem, including a well-backed victory over Fleetwood Town in front of more than 10,000 supporters on Good Friday. However, Crawley arrived as something of a bogey side. The Red Devils have won four of the last five meetings between the teams, including a 4-0 victory earlier this season, and have kept three consecutive clean sheets against the Gas.

Despite a difficult campaign following relegation from League One, Crawley have shown signs of improvement under new head coach Colin Kazim-Richards, who has overseen two wins in his opening three matches to lift his side four points clear of the drop zone. The away boss made three changes to a side that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Grimsby with ten men.

Meanwhile, Evans who gave the home faithful a fantastic surprise before kick off having signed on until 2028 for the Gas, reshuffled the pack since Monday’s victory seeing goalscorer Harrison, Mees Rijks, Tommy Leigh, and captain Alfie Kilgour back the starting frame.

The rotation paid off for the Gas boss as Rovers took the lead inside 26 minutes. Kofi Balmer’s forward pass released Ellis Harrison through on goal, and the striker kept his composure to slot calmly past Jacob Chapman and hand the Gas a deserved advantage.

Rovers struck again moments later, underlining the attacking intent that has defined Evans’ side in recent weeks. Tommy Leigh produced a superb ball to pick out Joel Senior, who unselfishly squared for Mees Rijks to tap home his first goal in a Rovers shirt. The hosts nearly added a third before the break. A lofted free-kick caused problems in the Crawley box and eventually fell to Harrison, who cleverly clipped a cross towards the back post, but Riley Harbottle was just unable to stretch far enough to convert.

Early in the second half, the Red Devils came sharp out the blocks as Dion Pereira skipped past Senior, then finding Ade Adeyemo who forced Gas number one, Brad Young into a phenomenal stop to deny the Crawley forward from point blank. The home side responded well after regaining some momentum in this match, paid off after Smallwood’s lofted ball found the head of Harrison who came extremely close as the ball headed just wide of the post.

But the away side were to score first in this second half after substitute, Louie Watson’s fantastic dribbling effort saw him skip past the Gas defence and despite a small deflection. the forward’s left footed attempt saw him give the away side a lifeline in this match and more so their survival hopes this season.

The Red Devils were handed a boost late on after a last ditch challenge from Lockyer saw the former Premier League defender sent off to much of the frustration to Gas fans, but a strong wall denied the away side from finding an equalising goal in this match.

However, after holding out, all concerns for Gas fans were put to rest after a swift counter attacking move saw Yusuf Akhamrich through one on one and the on rushing Chapman was given no chance after a chipped effort from the Spurs loanee secured a 3-1 victory and a sixth consecutive win at home.

Rovers ratings

Brad Young (GK): One of Evans’ standout decisions since arriving, the former Hartlepool goalkeeper has firmly established himself as the Gas’ number one. His performances between the sticks have been crucial in recent weeks, with his penalty save on Good Friday a prime example of how he has directly preserved points for Rovers, while showing today why he has been a reliable asset for Evans with an incredible stop to deny Adeyemo early in the second half. 7.5

Riley Harbottle: A consistent and reliable presence under Evans, the centre-back has featured regularly since his arrival from AFC Wimbledon, bringing stability to the heart of the defence and his composure was of great use this Saturday lunchtime significantly helping the Pirates build out from the back 7.5

Alfie Kilgour: The captain has been instrumental at both ends of the pitch, even sitting high in the club’s assist charts with four this season, an impressive return from centre-back, the defensive side was where the skipper impressed this afternoon sweeping up any offensive danger posed from the Red Devils. 7.5

Kofi Balmer: Much like Kilgour, Balmer has provided a threat from deep, contributing two goals since joining and adding an attacking edge to his defensive duties and added to those offensive involvements this afternoon having picked up a first assist in a quarters shirt. 8

Top of the charts

Tom Lockyer: The Gas veteran provides leadership and defensive assurance, even when utilised from the bench and he was called upon for the second half replacing Harbottle, covering his place well for the most part but a poor challenge towards the end of the afternoon saw the former Luton Town defender sent off. 5

Joe Quigley: The 29-year-old was handed another opportunity to add to his tally, searching for his fourth goal since arriving at the club, where his physical presence was of great use but. 7

Fabrizio Cavegn: Not only the club’s top scorer, the Swiss forward also leads the way for league appearances this season with 36, underlining his importance, and a fresh injection of attacking danger saw the forward make a very positive impact during his stint. 7.5

Yusuf Akhamrich: One of Rovers’ standout performers this season, contributing four goals in just eight starts in a Gas shirt, the Moroccon added to his collection of goals in a quaters shirt having put all doubts to bed with a fantastic lobbed effort. 7.5