Bristol Rovers vs Plymouth Argyle live: Updates and reaction from ...
Bristol Rovers were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy with a 2-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle at the Mem on Tuesday.
The League One leaders were the side who got to grips with the difficult conditions the fastest and found themselves 2-0 up on a sodden pitch by half time.
Ben Waine opened the scoring with a looping header before Ryan Hardie doubled their advantage with a cool finish after beating the offside trap, putting the Pilgrims within one win of a Wembley final.
For the Gas, it was a chance for players not in Barton's league starting XI to stake a claim, but below-par performances and a soaked surface combined for a disjointed display and despite a late burst from the home side, Argyle were deserving winners.
Next up for the Gas is a trip to Accrington Stanley on Saturday, with the chance to make it three straight league wins and overcome the disappointment of missing out on the chance of a Wembley final.
Scroll down for reaction
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
23:03KEY EVENT
First-team coach Andy Mangan says Bristol Rovers did not want to risk injuries to their star players who went unused as substitutes as the Gas were knocked out in the EFL Trophy quarter-finals by Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.
Read the full story here
22:07Sam Frost
A night to forget for Rovers.
Read the player ratings here
21:38KEY EVENT
Rovers are knocked out of the EFL Trophy. A game lacking in quality and the Gas shot themselves in the foot with some flimsy defending.
90+1Sam Frost
Loft zips a shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.
90Sam Frost
Five minutes added.
88Sam Frost
Rovers need something now if they are to stay alive in the Trophy...
James Gibbons heads straight into the keeper's arms.
84Sam Frost
Ryan Loft is booked for a late challenge.
83Sam Frost
McCormick plants a volley just over the bar from Loft's pass.
81Sam Frost
Niall Ennis and Oscar Halls replace James Bolton and Ryan Hardie.
Still no sign of Rovers' star men on the bench...
77Sam Frost
Hoole's teasing cross is sliced behind for a corner.
Evans' cross is punched clear but the Gas force another corner soon after.
McCormick stings the palms of the keeper from the edge of the area.
71Sam Frost
Jay Matete is booked for a trip on McCormick.
68Sam Frost
Thomas blocks Waine's shot and concedes a corner. The game is drifting to an unsatisfactory conclusion for the Gas.
Jaakkola palms away a dangerous cross.
62Sam Frost
Hardie's shot balloons over the top after a deflection. Corner.
Another Wright corner lands on the roof of the net.
58Sam Frost
A corner comes in from the Rovers right and they just cannot get it away. Bodies are desperately thrown around and Evans makes a crucial block.
56Sam Frost
Evans squeezes a ball through to Saunders, who cuts it back for McCormick but his effort from 12 yards is saved. Marquis can't get the follow-up on target, although he was certain it was a corner. Goal-kick given.
54Sam Frost
Rovers fail to deal with a corner and the ball lands at the feet of Butcher, who fails to hit the target from 20 yards.
51Sam Frost
It's not saying much, but the Gas have gone up a gear and they are starting to make an impression in the final third, although they are yet to create a clear chance.
47Sam Frost
Matt Butcher fires just wide of the target from 20 yards. Jaakkola looked concerned.
46KEY EVENT
Antony Evans takes the kick-off for the second half. Rovers are attacking the Thatchers.
Harvey Saunders is on for Lewis Gordon.
20:36Sam Frost
20:33Sam Frost
Anssi Jaakkola - 6
Luca Hoole - 4
Bobby Thomas - 4
James Connolly - 4
James Gibbons - 5
Antony Evans - 5
Glenn Whelan (c) - 5
Luke McCormick - 6
Lewis Gordon - 5
John Marquis - 5
Ryan Loft - 5
20:32KEY EVENT
The visitors deservedly have the lead.
45+1Sam Frost
Argyle get in behind the defence again with Waine clear on goal, but he skies his shot. Huge let-off for Rovers.
45Sam Frost
One minute added.
44Sam Frost
Thomas concedes a corner with Rovers almost caught out over the top again.
The ball in curls onto the roof of the net. Goal kick.
40Sam Frost
At last, Rovers put a move together as Gordon and Gibbons charge forward. The ball is teed up for Evans on the edge of the area but his shot is blocked.
37Sam Frost
Buoyed by their two goals, Argyle have taken command in the possession battle. They look the likelier to score next at this moment in time.
31KEY EVENT
Ryan Hardie.
Poor defending again. Rovers are caught from a straight ball over the top. Credit to Hardie, he controlled it brilliantly and finished well, but it's a soft goal all told.
29Sam Frost
Connolly is too deep and he is caught two against one with the assistant's flag staying down. Hardie pokes a cross towards Waine and he should score again but he slices wide with just Jaakkola to beat.
24KEY EVENT
Ben Waine.
A hanging cross is delivered from the left and the New Zealander gets above Bobby Thomas and loops a header into the top corner.
I thought there may have been a push in the back on Thomas when the ball came in, but there were no protests from the Rovers players.
