A LOOK at the key stats and figures from Rovers defeat against Sunderland.

*FRIEDEL: Stood between Rovers and a hiding thanks to a string of top saves, particularly in the first half...7 SHORT: Never looked comfortable in a back three before his frustration finally got the better of him and he saw red...5 BERG: Struggled to adapt to the change in formation and paid the price by being subbed at half-time...5 JOHANSSON: Caught out of position on a number of occasions and conceded far too many fouls in dangerous areas...5 NEILL: Done a sterling job in a number of positions in recent weeks but didn't look convincing as a left-wing back...5 GILLESPIE: Rovers' brightest player going forward but spent too much time having to defend due to the change in formation...6 FLITCROFT: Still lacking match sharpness after injury and never picked up the pace of the game...5 DUNN: Very disappointing by his standards. Didn't get into the game at all in the first half...5 MAHON: Worked his socks off in midfield but to little effect as Sunderland bossed proceedings in the engine room...5 GRABBI: Looked like a fish out of water at times. If ever a man needs a goal to boost his confidence then it's him...5 DUFF: Started off brightly enough but became less and less influential as the game wore on...5 SUBS

HUGHES (for Berg, 46)...6

JANSEN (for Grabbi, 46)...5

TAYLOR (for Neill, 66)...5

NOT USED: Ostenstad, Kelly (gk)

OPPOSITE CAMP:

SORENSEN: Barely had a shot to save...6

HAAS: Rock solid defensively...7

GRAY: Kept on his toes by Gillespie...7

THOME: Had Grabbi in his pocket...8

WILLIAMS: Cigar time at the back...7

McCANN: Provided midfield muscle...8

REYNA: All action American...8

McATEER: Enjoyed a happy return...7

ARCA: Provided a stream of crosses...7

PHILLIPS: Buzzed about up front...7

QUINN: Gave a masterclass in finishing...8

SUBS

KYLE (for Quinn, 67)...6

KILBANE (for Arca, 71)...6

NOT USED: Thirwell, McCartney, Macho

STATS:

Goal attempts: Rovers 9 Sunderland 13

Shots on target: Rovers 2 Sunderland 8

Woodwork: Rovers 0 Sunderland 3

Offsides: Rovers 3 Sunderland 1

Corners: Rovers 3 Sunderland 5

Free kicks: Rovers Sunderland

Referee: Clive Wilkes (Gloucestershire)...6

Attendance...29,869 YELLOW CARDS - Rovers: Dunn (foul) Sunderland: Thome (dissent), Kyle (foul)

RED CARDS - Rovers: Short (violent conduct)

TIME FOR ACTION:

11Rovers survive an early let off when Craig Short slices a Jason McAteer cross against the post

13Brad Friedel denies Niall Quinn with a stunning reflex stop

17It's 1-0 Sunderland as Quinn rams home the opener at the far post

25Friedel saves the day again by tipping Claudio Reyna's free kick on to the bar

31Thomas Sorensen makes his first meaningful save to block an effort by Damien Duff

32Quinn doubles Sunderland's lead with a typical trademark header from Julio Arca's free kick

46The woodwork comes to the rescue again as Kevin Phillips strikes a post with a shot

49Garry Flitcroft misses a golden chance to hand Rovers a lifeline when he fires over

69Craig Short sees red for lashing out at Kevin Kyle with a flailing arm

90Game, set and match as Kevin Kilbane tucks away number three from close range to wrap up the points

TACTICS:

GRAEME Souness's decision to opt for a 3-5-2 formation backfired as Sunderland wingers Jason McAteer and Julio Arca revelled in the extra space down the flanks, swinging over a series of crosses from which Niall Quinn caused havoc all afternoon

KEY MOMENT:

THOMAS Sorensen saving from Damien Duff at 1-0. Had that gone in, it might have been a different story but Sunderland then went and scored their second within a minute to all but kill the game as a contest