Bristol Rovers lost 1-0 against Shrewsbury Town in League Two - here's how we rated the players

Bristol Rovers suffered their third consecutive defeat in League Two, losing 1-0 away at Shrewsbury Town.

The deadlock was broken in the 77th minute when George Lloyd slotted home a penalty after Joe Quigley committed a foul in the box - a decision that Steve Evans described as 'disgusting' post-match.

Gavin Cowan's side then had two men sent off for straight red cards, but Rovers were unable to find equaliser - making it five away defeats out of six in the league this season.

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

Brad Young - 5.5

Brad Young didn't have much to do in the first-half, with chances few and far between for both sides. He dived the correct way for the penalty, but couldn't quite get his hands on Lloyd's well-taken spot-kick.

Tom James - 6

Rovers won a free-kick just before half-time, and Tom James, who scored a beauty from a similar position against Crawley Town earlier in the season, stepped up. His effort today hit the wall, though.

Defensively, James was solid in a back four and will be frustrated that he didn't go away with a clean sheet.

Kofi Balmer - 6

Defended well and was aerially dominant for the majority of the game. The home supporters were unhappy with the decision to book George Lloyd in the 43rd minute after it looked like Balmer had dragged down the Shrews forward.

Ciarán Kelly (off for Jack Sparkes, 73') - 5.5

Ciarán Kelly made an important block early in the game, with Rovers coming under pressure after the hosts started quickly. He had to be taken off with an injury in the 73rd minute, which hopefully isn't serious.

Ben Purrington - 5.5

Despite looking solid defensively, as he always does, with attacks seemingly never coming down his side, Ben Purringon was far too wasteful in possession - often opting for a lofted ball down the channel instead of keeping it simple and using one of the three central midfielders.

Richie Smallwood (off for Joe Quigley, 58') - 5

Richie Smallwood came in as the number six behind Clinton Mola and Keenan Gough in Rovers' 4-3-3, and looked a tad slow to the ball on a couple of occasions before his withdrawal just before the hour mark.

Keenan Gough - 6

Gough kept it simple and made some vital interceptions and tackles to stop opposition attacks when they started to look dangerous. He is certainly not the issue for this struggling side at the moment.

Clinton Mola (off for Reiss Russell-Denny, 68') - 6

Mola came closest to opening the scoring in the first-half, as his left-footed shot in the 25th minute whistled just wide of the right post. In a scrappy game, the 25-year-old battled well and was energetic off the ball, helping Rovers look more solid defensively.

Shaq Forde - 6

Shaq Forde was booked in the 11th minute, and after that, he had to be careful. In an attacking sense, the number seven was lively - breaking at speed on the counter attack, and demanding the ball at times.

He looked more like himself last week against Barnet after a slow start to the season, and was the main Rovers player, alongside Arvin Appiah, who seemed likely to create something for the visitors.

Bobby Kamwa (off for Arvin Appiah, 58') - 5

Evans bellowed instructions at Bobby Kamwa throughout the first-half, demanding him to tuck in on the left wing and make Rovers' 4-3-3 shape hard to break down. Defensively, he was disciplined, but when Rovers attacked, Kamwa struggled to get involved against the hosts' well organised back five.

Fabrizio Cavegn - 5.5

Fabrizio Cavegn's hold-up play has significantly improved this season, and starting as the lone striker in this one, he proved difficult for the Shrews to deal with - often helping Rovers to relieve pressure and start counter attacks by winning fouls and getting the likes of Forde involved.

He will be frustrated with himself for his effort straight at Will Brook in second-half stoppage time, but it was a game where Cavegn's service was limited.

Substitutes:

Arvin Appiah - 6

Some exciting runs from Appiah, who started centrally before drifting out to the left wing in the closing stages. He looks like a bright, wide player with a burst of pace and is in contention to start on Tuesday after this display.

Joe Quigley - 5

Quigley gave away the penalty, which proved to be the decisive moment, but let's be honest, it should never have been given. Apart from that, the 29-year-old competed for several aerial duels, but Rovers looked lost for ideas in the attacking third.

Reiss Russell-Denny - 5.5

Only touched the ball 11 times and completed eight of 10 passes. A tidy cameo in what became a chaotic finish, with two Shrewsbury players sent off.

Jack Sparkes - 5.5

Got forward well on a few occasions and provides more than Purrington in an attacking sense. It will be interesting to see if he is given a start on Tuesday.