Bristol Rovers drew 1-1 against Crewe Alexandra in League Two in Steve Evans’ first game as head coach – here’s how we rated the players(Image: Phil Oldham/Shutterstock)

Bristol Rovers drew 1-1 away at Crewe Alexandra to secure their first league point since September.

After an early strike from Emre Tezgel, Callum Morton quickly responded for the Gas. In the 30th minute, Adrien Thibaut was sent off for violent conduct on Clinton Mola, but Rovers were unable to find a winner against ten-men – coming close through efforts from Luke Thomas and Kamil Conteh in the second half.

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

Luke Southwood – 7

Despite a moment of madness in the second half, which could have easily seen Luke Southwood sent off, Rovers’ number one had a pretty solid game. On the hour mark, the Northern Ireland international picked up a flick-on from the hosts, but dropped the ball and handled it outside the box. He was only given a yellow by the referee, though, meaning it remained 11 versus 10.

Southwood also made a crucial save to deny Josh March in the first-half, who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper after being played through.

Taylor Moore – 6

Taylor Moore was playing out of position again, slotting in at right-back in a 4-3-1-2. He was relatively solid and had a chance in added time when the ball dropped to him, but decided not to pull the trigger after receiving it on the corner of the box.

Alfie Kilgour – 7

Alfie Kilgour played a delightful ball over the top to Morton, who rounded Sam Waller and scored Rovers’ first league goal since the 3-1 defeat away at Accrington Stanley. The captain had a couple of iffy moments in the first-half, but led the backline extremely well after the break, defending Crewe’s long throws effectively to secure a much-needed point for the Gas.

(Image: Phil Oldham/Shutterstock)Clinton Mola – 6.5

Mola certainly wasn’t a popular man with the home supporters after Thibaut was sent off in the 30th minute. The referee sent Crewe’s number 29 off for pushing Rovers’ centre-back off the ball, with Mola also booked for the tussle.

Like Kilgour, Mola improved after the break and stood up to the Crewe pressure in the first 15 minutes after half-time.

Jack Sparkes – 7.5

Jack Sparkes was impressive on the left-hand side, providing a constant threat with delivery. He was picked out on a number of occasions in space and was unfortunate not to register an assist. He’ll be a key player for Evans, and when the likes of Promise Omochere and Ellis Harrison return, his deliveries will cause significant problems for opposition teams.

Josh McEachran – 7

Josh McEachran was his usual steady self. When Crewe went down to ten-men, the emphasis on the 32-year-old to dictate the game and unlock the hosts’ defence became greater. He found Alfie Chang in between the lines with a perfectly-weighted pass in the 47th minute, but the on-loan midfielder’s shot was deflected for a corner.

Kamil Conteh – 7.5

Conteh has come under a lot of stick from Rovers supporters in recent weeks, but he had his best game in a while tonight. He stood up in Evans’ first game and was a central figure in Rovers’ attacking play – driving the Gas forward, especially in the second half. Conteh was also extremely unlucky not to score the winner, seeing his left-footed effort in the 71st minute hit Waller’s post.

(Image: Getty Images)Alfie Chang – (off for Joel Cotterill, 73) – 7

Chang was energetic alongside Conteh and gave everything for the new manager. He nearly put Rovers into the lead when he received the ball from McEachran in first-half stoppage time, but saw his effort deflected for a corner. Chang is a useful player, and he showed that tonight.

Luke Thomas – (off for Ruel Sotiriou, 73) – 6

Thomas had arguably Rovers’ best chance of the second half when he was picked out by Shaq Forde, leaving him in space on the left wing with Waller to beat. His effort was a tentative one, though, and the Crewe goalkeeper easily saved. Still, though, the number 11 defended well and showed his qualities in between the lines as the number ten behind two central strikers.

Callum Morton – (off for Ollie Dewsbury, 77) – 8

My man of the match – not only because he scored, but also because his performance had a bit of everything. Morton worked extremely hard off the ball, while also holding the ball up extremely effectively. His work rate and technical ability have made him a brilliant pick-up from the Gas. It seems increasingly likely that the club will push to extend his contract until the end of the season.

Fabrizio Cavegn – (off for Shaq Forde, 57) – 6

Like a lot of Rovers’ players, Fabrizio Cavegn is struggling with confidence right now. He had a chance in the second minute of the game, but shot straight at Waller. Apart from that, he struggled to make a significant impact despite working hard and making some threatening runs in behind to stretch the Crewe defence.

Substitutes:Shaq Forde – 6.5

It was an impressive cameo from Forde, who nearly made an immediate impact – playing a lovely ball out to Thomas in space, who should have scored past Waller. He also won a couple of important fouls and certainly gave the Crewe defenders something to think about.

(Image: Getty Images)Ruel Sotiriou – 6

The ball dropped to Ruel Sotiriou in the 84th minute after a misjudged header from Crewe, but his effort was well blocked by the hosts.

Joel Cotterill – 6.5

Joel Cotterill was very involved when he came on, setting up Forde in the closing stages, while also seeing an effort blocked. It was a surprise not to see him start, and I thought he was his energetic self when he came on. He’ll be pushing for a start against Bromley.

Ollie Dewsbury – N/A