Bristol Rovers ended a run of 10 straight defeats with a 1-1 draw at Crewe
Press Association Sport Reporters
22:11, 19 Dec 2025
CREWE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 19: Max Sanders of Crewe Alexandra is challenged by Ruel Sotiriou of Bristol Rovers FC during the Sky Bet League Two match between Crewe Alexandra and Bristol Rovers at Mornflake Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Crewe, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
Bristol Rovers ended a run of 10 straight defeats with a 1-1 draw at Crewe in Steve Evans’ first game in charge.
Evans oversaw a gritty performance by the Gas whose passage was helped by the first-half dismissal of Crewe’s Adrien Thibaut.
The sides traded early goals with Emre Tezgel firing Crewe ahead in the ninth minute and Callum Morton levelling three minutes later.
Tezgel found the corner with a first-time strike from the edge of the box after Reece Hutchinson pulled the ball back.
But by the time the Stoke loanee hobbled off near the half-hour mark, the Railwaymen’s promising start had been dented by poor defending which gifted Rovers an equaliser and the dismissal of frontman Thibaut.
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A misunderstanding between James Connolly and keeper Sam Waller allowed Morton to latch onto a through ball and finish into an empty net.
Thibaut clashed with defender Clinton Mola for a straight red card in the 30th minute.
As the half closed Rovers were indebted to keeper Luke Southwood, who used a leg to divert Josh March’s goalbound effort to safety.
After the restart Waller held a rising drive from Luke Thomas after the winger broke clear.
Rovers began to make the most of their numerical advantage and were close to grabbing a winner when Kamil Conteh clipped the near post with an effort from right of the box.
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