Rovers players ratings from the Stoke City win.

Thomas Kaminski 7

Forced off with an abdominal issue moments after making his one save of the game to deny Romaine Sawyers at his near post.

Ryan Nyambe 8

Struggled on Rovers’ last away day but no such issues here. Curtailed any threat of Stoke down the right side and had enough of a forward threat to help Rovers get up the pitch.

Darragh Lenihan 8

He may have been on the right side of the three centre halves but there was no doubt who the leader was, winning seven headers, four tackles and making four interceptions. Went close to a second goal in as many games and his distribution was a real strong-point.

Jan Paul van Hecke 8

Got the opportunity of a quick return to the side and played in the heart of the back three and looked comfortable when doing so. Read the game particularly well and completed all but one of his 29 passes.

Scott Wharton 8

The balance he brings with his left-footed poise has been key in making the back three. One fine pass freed Brereton in the first half and did his defensive duties well.

Harry Pickering 8

What a dependable figure he has become a left back. Nothing flashy but another fine display in which he let nothing down his side.

Lewis Travis 8

Stopped the threat of Vrancic by keeping a close eye on him throughout and was always where he needed to be infront of the back three.

Joe Rothwell 8

Was a key part of a midfield three who were far too athletic for Stoke. His ability to drive through the heart of the pitch was clear to see in the first half where he had two efforts at goal from his trademark runs. Understandably tired as the second half wore on.

John Buckley 9

A midfield masterclass. On and off the ball he was a cut above every on the pitch and never stopped running, his tenacity helping set up the winner. His close control and mobility were matched by some excellent through-balls.

Reda Khadra 7

Struggled to get the ball under control in tricky conditions for forwards in the first half but scored a fine winner, arrowing a shot out of reach of Adam Davies and into the corner.

Ben Brereton 7

Had two chances to add to his goal tally, one lobbed effort drifting just wide of the post before being denied by Davies from a tight angle late on. Led the line well in the closing stages to help see out the victory.

Subs

Aynsley Pears (for Kaminski, 57) 6

Punched away a corner with his first touch and while he was protected well by those infront of him, made one key save to deny Danny Batth in injury time.

Tyrhys Dolan (for Khadra, 68) 6

Added fresh legs in attack and while all his tricks didn’t come off, he did go close to a goal with a curling effort from a fine Lenihan pass.

Jacob Davenport (for Rothwell, 73) 6

Shored things up in the middle of the and made four interceptions to stem the Stoke threat.  

Not used: Bradley Johnson, Tayo Edun, Leighton Clarkson, Dan Butterworth

Stoke: Davies, Wilmot, Batth, Chester (Doughty, 78), Smith, Sawyers, Vrancic, Tymon, Fox (Ince, 66), Campbell, Brown (Fletcher, 66)

Subs: Bonham, Ostigard, Oakley-Boothe, Duhaney