IT WAS honours even between Reading and Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night as the League One sides played out a forgettable 1-1 draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Sam Smith’s first goal of the season put the Royals in front before the interval, but former Reading forward Chris Martin netted in the second period to earn the Gas a point.
Here’s how the players fared:
David Button 7: Made a cracking save to deny Collins early in the second half, as well as a handful of more routine stops.
Andy Yiadom 5: Nowhere to be seen for Martin’s goal. Didn’t work hard enough to track back after losing the ball on a number of occasions.
Tyler Bindon 5: Caught out of position for Rovers’ equaliser. Kept plugging away at it and, to his credit, made some important defensive interventions.
Nelson Abbey 6: Assured at the back, although the defender’s distribution could have been more accurate on the night.
Jeriel Dorsett 6: Filled in well at left-back, offering a robustness that had been missing in recent weeks. Went careering into the advertising hoardings in the first half but soldiered on.
Sam Hutchinson 5: Spent large parts of the game in between Abbey and Bindon. Covered the half spaces well at times, but wasn’t able to progress the ball up the pitch effectively.
Charlie Savage 5: Worked hard, but couldn’t get on the ball as much as he would like. Picked up a booking for simulation meaning he’ll be suspended for Saturday’s trip to Shrewsbury.
Lewis Wing 6: Growing in confidence by the game – becoming Selles’ go-to guy in midfield. Delivered some teasing balls into the box, one of which should have been finished by Dorsett.
Harvey Knibbs 5.5: Did brilliantly to set up Smith’s goal, stealing the ball off a Rovers throw-in high up the pitch. Missed a great chance to make it 2-0.
Sam Smith 7: Took his goal brilliantly and was a constant menace to Rovers’ back line. Worked tirelessly at the top of the pitch.
Femi Azeez 4: Things just didn’t go his way on the night. Struggled to bring the ball under his spell, misplacing several passes.
Substitutes:
Ben Elliott 6: Showed what he can do with some deft turns and passes forward. Couldn’t quite help his side grab a winner.
Michael Craig 5: Some nice moments on the ball, but wasn’t his usual, composed self.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: N/A
Nesta Guinness-Walker: N/A
