Bristol Rovers player ratings as Gas lose at MK Dons

Bristol Rovers suffered their 18th league defeat at MK Dons, losing 1-0 at Stadium MK, thanks to a Callum Paterson strike in the seventh minute of first-half added time.

Paterson’s goal capped off an eventful opening 45 minutes, with MK Dons hitting the woodwork twice and Fabrizio Cavegn missing from close range. The Gas created chances in the second half, but ultimately came up short against Paul Warne’s side, leaving them 22nd in League Two – a point above the relegation zone.

Bristol Live’s Bristol Rovers writer Will Murray gives his verdict and ratings on the Gas players…

• ‘Incompetent’ – Steve Evans fumes at referee after Callum Paterson decision in MK Dons defeat

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Brad Young – 6

Brad Young kept his starting place from Saturday and made an impressive save in the 82nd minute to deny Gethin Jones, who was one-on-one with the shot stopper. He couldn’t do much about Paterson’s goal, and post-match, Steve Evans praised Young’s performances in training, meaning he is likely to keep his spot against Newport County.

Joel Senior (off for Yusuf Akhamrich, 68′) – 5

Joel Senior was on the receiving end of an elbow from Paterson in the first-half, with the MK Dons striker somehow not given a second yellow for the off-the-ball incident. The right wing-back lacked end product for the Gas and was withdrawn in the 68th minute for Yusuf Akhamrich.

Kofi Balmer – 5.5

Kofi Balmer delivered a number of long throws, which caused more problems than during Saturday’s defeat at Salford. He looks far more comfortable as a right centre-back in a back five than as a right-back in a four.

Taylor Moore – 5

Taylor Moore could have done better for the goal, losing Paterson in the box, who raced past him and scored the winner. He improved after the break, but not tracking the goalscorer proved costly for the Gas, albeit Paterson shouldn’t have still been on the pitch.

Riley Harbottle – 6

Riley Harbottle was relatively solid, despite Aaron Collins beating him to the ball, which led to Paterson’s goal. I’ve been impressed by the centre-back so far, though, and he looks to be comfortable in a back four and a back five, dealing with the threat of the MK Dons attack well in the second half.

Jack Sparkes – 6

Jack Sparkes was unlucky not to score the equaliser in the closing stages when the ball dropped to him at the backpost, but his effort was well blocked. It is worth saying, though, that the left-back attempted six crosses on the night, with only one of them being accurate.

Ryan De Havilland – 6.5

Ryan De Havilland put in a solid display against Salford, which Evans praised, and I thought he built on that today. He broke up play and kept it ticking nicely alongside Clinton Mola in what looked like a very competent midfield pairing.

Ryan de Havilland in action for Bristol Rovers at MK Dons

Clinton Mola (off for Kamil Conteh, 76′) – 7.5

Mola started as one of the two holding midfielders alongside De Havilland and looked reborn in the midfield role. It was undoubtedly one of his best performances of the season, breaking up a lot of MK Dons attacks and finding the likes of Shaq Forde consistently with precise balls forward.

Shaq Forde – 8

Forde was Rovers’ best player on the night and was very unlucky not to have at least one assist. He played a beautiful one-touch pass around the corner to release Fabrizio Cavegn in the 31st minute, with the Swiss striker dragging his shot straight at MacGillivray.

He also put the ball on a plate for Mees Reijks in the 66th minute, who curled over and was unfortunate to see his header go just wide 13 minutes later. He has continued his impressive form since his red card against Bromley.

Ellis Harrison (off for Mees Rijks, 63′) – 6

Ellis Harrison adds something different to Rovers, and even though he wasn’t at his best against MK Dons, he gave the hosts problems at times. His best chance came in the 24th minute when he dragged his shot wide, and after struggling to make an impact in the second half, he was taken off just after the hour mark.

Fabrizio Cavegn – 5

Cavegn should have scored in the 31st minute with a gilt-edge chance from inside the box after receiving the ball from Forde. He held the ball up well in the second half, but ultimately will regret that missed chance in the first-half.

Substitutes:Mees Rijks – 5.5

Evans said that Rijks looked “rusty” post-match, and while there were some nice touches from the new signing, he missed a decent chance in the 66th minute – curling over from the edge of the box. He also nearly glanced in Sparkes’ corner seven minutes later.

Mees Rijks replaces Ellis Harrison for Bristol Rovers at MK Dons

Yusuf Akhamrich – 7.5

Akhamrich was brilliant when he came on. He constantly looked to commit defenders and created a big chance for Forde in the 79th minute, with a dinked cross to the number seven. He also had a couple of late shots that were well blocked by the MK Dons defence, who were seriously tested by the Tottenham Hotspur loanee.

Kamil Conteh – N/A

• Steve Evans on ‘trying’ to sign experienced players for Bristol Rovers

• Bristol Rovers beaten again as Callum Paterson effort enough for MK Dons win

Bristol Rovers player ratings as Gas lose at MK Dons

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