Bristol Rovers fell to a third consecutive League One defeat with a 2-0 loss at promotion favourites Birmingham City with their goals tally standing at just two in their last seven outings.
A blistering Blues start saw the hosts take an early lead as Lee Buchanan fired a good volleyed finish past Josh Griffiths following a corner routine before Krystan Bielik should’ve headed home a second from another corner delivery soon after.
Rovers managed to hold their nerve and ease themselves into the contest, producing some neat passing moves but often in their own half with no attacking threat whatsoever.
The hosts then started to rebuild momentum and found a second via the penalty spot for a handball decision conceded by Connor Taylor with Jay Stansfield converting.
Blues tried to extend their lead in the second half with James Wilson having to clear an effort off the line from Alfie May but couldn’t as changes from the Gas offered slight improvement in attack.
Here’s how we rated the Gas players…
Josh Griffiths – 5.5
A couple of extremely nervy moments with his feet but managed to get through unscathed. Didn’t actually have an abundance of saves to make which feels very odd to write.
Joel Senior (off for Taylor Moore 67′) – 6
Will be disappointed he didn’t get a block on Lee Buchanan’s volleyed goal but the right wing-back had an okay game considering it was his first league start of the season. Made a crucial block on Jay Stansfield in the penalty area as the forward attempted to pull the trigger. Deserves a run in the team now.
James Wilson – 7
Not quite sure where Rovers might have ended up without their stand-in captain. It feels odd giving a seven in defeat and perhaps it’s generous but the defender had a response to everything that came his way with the stand out moment a goal line clearance to deny Alfie May in the second half.
Connor Taylor – 6.5
Produced some crucial defensive moments but will be frustrated with conceding the penalty for a handball. Seems a very debatable decision.
Michael Forbes (off for Chris Martin 53′) – 5
Shaky start for the young defender but he grew into the game. Really tough one for the 20-year-old to come into and then was taken off for an attacking switch.
Clinton Mola – 5
Capable of much better. Improved second half after one or two really poor moments in the first that were unpunished. In fairness, did record the Gas’ first shot on target in the league for over two matches.
Kamil Conteh – 6
Some passes that he’ll be really frustrated with but made up for it with some quality moments in the middle. Again, nothing that made a significant difference.
Jamie Lindsay (off for Grant Ward 67′) – 5
Still not at the level he’s set for himself and would expect but had some okay moments.
Luke McCormick (off for Promise Omochere 74′) – 5
Ran his socks off and produced Rovers’ best attacking moment of the first half with a perfectly-weighted ball in towards Gatlin O’Donkor. Otherwise quiet on a tough afternoon.
Shaq Forde – 5
Just didn’t get into the game at all.
Gatlin O’Donkor (off for Isaac Hutchinson 67′) – 5
Really feel for the striker. Rarely had the ball anywhere near the final third and on the few occasions he did he looked devoid of confidence. Kept running, trying to close down his nearest man and make some sort of impact and frequently gestured to his teammates behind him to push up along with him.
Substitutes:
Chris Martin (on 53′) – 6
Won a few free-kicks. Will have felt aggrieved not to have started.
Taylor Moore (on 67′) – 5
Lucky that it didn’t materialise to anything dangerous when he had the ball nicked off of him in the area. Otherwise stood firm.
Grant Ward (on 67′) – 6
Some nice moments in the middle. Looked a bit more like his usual self.
Isaac Hutchinson (on 67′) – 6.5
Rovers’ best attacking player on the day and only had a cameo. Says everything.
Promise Omochere (on 74′) – N/A
Not really fair to give the striker a score. Tried to close his men down but just didn’t get a sniff during his brief cameo.