Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Birmingham City: 8/10 'too-hot-to-handle' while 7/10 'excels' in 2-1 loss

Bristol Rovers’ survival hopes took a hit after a 1-2 home defeat to table toppers Birmingham City.

The Pirates went behind inside three minutes, thanks to a beautiful curler from Blues wideman Keshi Anderson to set the tone of the game early.

Rovers rallied and thought they were level when Shaq Forde had an effort ruled on after a quarter of an hour which brought the mem to life.

The crowd's efforts to get the players going worked as Kofi Shaw’s looping free kick was headed back across the box by Connor Taylor before Gatlin O’Donkor headed home his third goal of the season.

Rovers had chances in the first half through O’Donkor hitting the bar and Clinton Mola stinging the palms of the away keeper in quick succession.

Rovers ended the first half on top and nearly went into the break ahead as a quick Kofi Shaw free kick found Sotiriou but the Cypriot's effort rattled the post

To begin the second 45, It was the away side with the first chance of the half when goalscorer Anderson’s corner bound effort was beaten away by Jed Ward.

It was then Rovers’ turn to have a great chance through Sotiriou. The ball fell to him after O’Donkor was tackled in the area and Sotiriou’s first time effort went over the bar.

Unfortunately for the Gas, Jay Stansfield’s flick-on in the box was judged to have hit Connor Taylor’s hand and the Blues had a late penalty.

After a minute of delays Stansfield stepped up to take the penalty and sent Jed Ward the wrong way and gave the Blues the lead and eventually the victory.

The defeat leaves the Gas still in 20th position and after a crucial win tonight for Burton Albion, it means that Rovers now only sit three points above that final relegation place.

Bristol Rovers player ratings

Jed Ward(GK): Nothing the Rovers number one could do about the opening goal. Did get his hand on it but it was always destined for the far corner. Had one nervy moment of distribution when he was closed down by Stansfield shortly after the Birmingham goal. His distribution throughout the night was very good and was never in any danger getting pressed. 7

Taylor Moore: Could've gotten his head on Dowell’s cross which led to the first. Was a 50/50 battle against Keshi Anderson in which he had some good moments keeping his marker quiet. Was a lot more defensive minded in the second half to nullify Anderson’s threat. Did well in an unnatural position of right back tonight. Was replaced by Joel Senior after 83 Minutes. 6.5

James Wilson(C): Poor clearance which led to the cross for Birmingham’s first. Handled Stansfield well in the early beginning to keep the big money man quiet. Manned the backline very well as the leader and vocal point. Didn't manage to get on the end of any set pieces. 6.5

Connor Taylor: A first assist of the season for Taylor as his header from Shaw’s free kick was bundled in by O’Donkor. Looked a different player to the one that played last Saturday. Unfortunately gave the penalty away that led to Birmingham grabbing their second and the winner but the former Stoke man is still an important asset. 6

Clinton Mola: Was a tale of before the equaliser and after the equaliser for Mola. Wasn't at the races before the goal but after it looked a completely different player going forward and defending. Quieter second half for the full back as Rovers set up a bit more defensively minded. 6.5

Powerful presence

Romaine Sawyers: His powerful presense was exactly what Rovers needed in a game like tonight. An experienced head who still has the legs to get around the pitch and put himself about. Defended well early on when his side were under the cosh for the first 15 minutes. 7

Matt Butcher: Played further forward than what myself and the majority of Gasheads thought he would following his loan move from Wycombe. Looked comfortable alongside Shaw when he was playing next to him but also slotted in nicely with Sawyers when he had to as well. Was replaced by Issac Hutchinson after 83 minutes. 6.5

Shaq Forde: Had a really good game on the right hand side tonight. Had good linkup play with Taylor Moore who he probably haven't had too much training with Moore overlapping. Looked a lot more calmer and composed than the player that we’ve seen sometimes this season. Was replaced by Luke Thomas after 83 minutes. 7

Kofi Shaw: Once again the youngster looked years beyond his age with another mature midfield performance, just like his display in the 3-2 win over Bolton. Balanced going between attack and defense very nicely against the league leaders. Excelled but one sign of slight immaturity was his yellow card which he got for kicking the ball away after the whistle had blown. Was replaced by Grant Ward after 65 minutes. 7

Ruel Sotiriou: Looked a completely different player to the Sotiriou we saw against Mansfield Town. Had a great chance to give Rovers the lead at 1-1 but his effort hit the post. In the second half he should've given the Gas the lead when his one on one with the keeper sailed over the bar into Thatcher's end. 6.75

Hot stuff

Gatlin O’Donkor: Return to the goals for the too-hot-to-handle frontman after he got on the end of Taylor’s header across the box to draw Rovers level. Had another chance in the first half where he beat the keeper to a poor back pass but his header hit the bar. Was excellent on the press all night long as he gave the Birmingham back four and keeper troubles. Was replaced by Scott Sinclair after 73 minutes. 8

Substitutes

Joel Senior: Came on for Taylor Moore with seven minutes to play to try and get the Gas an equaliser. However the right back couldn't find himself in positions to get the ball in the box or a dangerous position. 6

Scott Sinclair: Came on to replace O’Donkor as Rovers looked to set up shop for the point they had at the time. Didn't see much of the ball and didn't have a huge impact on the game as he was marked out of it. Had a near chance when Sotiriou’s cross was cut out before it could reach Sinclair. 6

Grant Ward: Calderon’s first sub of the night as he came on for Kofi Shaw to add a more physical presence to the midfield. Ward found himself operating more over to the right hand side however was also marked out by the league leaders defense. 6.5 Luke Thomas: Came on after the penalty and was full steam ahead down the wing. Had a couple of bursts down the wing but nothing that could impact the result or scoreline. 6

Issac Hutchinson: Came on for Matt Butcher and nearly created a chance for an equalizer when his dribble and pass set up Sotiriou but the resulting cross couldn't find Sinclair. 6.5