Blackburn player ratings: Buckley bright but attack falters

John Buckley was Blackburn Rovers' best player at Oxford. <i>(Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker)</i>
John Buckley was Blackburn Rovers' best player at Oxford. (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
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Here's how The Lancashire Telegraph scored the players' performances, with a six representing par for the course.

Aynsley Pears - 7

Was lucky with the goal ruled out for offside but made amends with two or three good saves. Didn't look at fault for the free-kick on first viewing, though it was his side.

Callum Brittain - 6

Couldn't influence the game in an attacking sense and was really tested by Dembele down the left. Fired over late on.

Dom Hyam - 6

Has had easier days than facing Harris and then Bradshaw, who don't stop running.

Danny Batth - 6

Won his fair share of duels but was given a good test against the speed and pressing of the Oxford front players.

Owen Beck - 5

Like Brittain, had his hands full with Placheta. His pace and direct running caused issues throughout the game.

John Buckley - 8

Rovers' best player by a fair way. Had a very good first half in which he nearly scored. Quieter in the second but still his best performance for a while.

Sondre Tronstad - 6

Forced off after half an hour with an injury. Walked off but obviously that's a concern.

Amario Cozier-Duberry - 5

Couldn't really get into the game and was loose with his passing in the second half.

Todd Cantwell - 6

Tried to knit things together but didn't have much luck. Caught on the ball in the first half for the disallowed goal which was a let-off.

Andi Weimann - 6

Worked hard but wasn't involved in the game before being withdrawn. Had one effort saved by Cummings in the first half.

Makhtar Gueye - 6

Was a nuisance for the Oxford defence, at times, and linked play but drifted in and out of the contest.

Substitutes:

Adam Forshaw (Tronstad, 29') - 5

Did ok but wasn't very heavily involved to say how long he was on the pitch. Fired an awful effort over in stoppage time.

Tyrhys Dolan (Weimann, 59') - 5

Very little impact after coming on. Thought the subs offered little.

Ryan Hedges (Cozier-Duberry, 59') - 5

Like Dolan, just couldn't get in the game or influence the attack.

Harry Leonard (Gueye, 59') - 5

Same has to be said for Leonard. Though he had very little service.

Joe Rankin-Costello (Buckley, 82') - N/A

On as a late final throw of the dice.

Unused substitutes: Toth, McFadzean, Sanderson, Tyjon.

Referee: William Finnie

Attendance: 11,407

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