Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Lincoln: Forde dazzles and Taylor collossal in tight home draw

Bristol Rovers and Lincoln City were forced to settle for a point with both teams battling until the end to find a winner in an entertaining affair at the Mem.

After a largely uneventful opening half an hour, the game got the moment of quality it was crying out for as Shaq Forde knicked the ball off of a Lincoln defender, drove towards goal and produced a curling effort into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area to hand Rovers the lead.

The Gas took their advantage into the break but it could have easily been level with Connor Taylor producing an outstanding challenge on Jovon Makama who had been played through on goal and did the hard part of getting past Josh Griffiths.

Rovers pushed for a second but it was Lincoln who found the next goal as substitute Jack Moylan buried a decent finish past Josh Griffiths in the area.

Both sides battled for the crucial third goal of the contest but neither could find it. Although they had led, it's a good point for the Gas against one of the best teams on the road in League One. Here is how we rated Rovers' players...

Josh Griffiths - 6

The goalkeeper didn't actually have much to do but his distribution was good and he claimed some loose balls to ease pressure on his backline.

Taylor Moore - 5

Responsible for too many cheap giveaways, some of which sparking dangerous flurries forward from Lincoln. He's looked comfortable at right-back in recent matches but this one was well below his usual standards.

Connor Taylor - 8

Outstanding defensively throughout with his stand out moment being a recovery challenge on Jovon Makama with the forward effectively having an empty net to tap into. The challenge was celebrating in the terraces like a goal. Deserved his man of the match accolade.

James Wilson - 8

Also responsible for a brilliant recovery challenge in the first half. Seemed to win everything that came his way. It seems as though he's starting to be appreciated more by supporters instead of being scapegoated.

Clinton Mola - 7

A livewire up and down the left flank with some classy touches and passes. He's been a great addition.

Kamil Conteh - 6

A few nervy moments where he had the ball knicked off of him in the first half but the midfielder grew into the game and acted as a much-needed engine in the middle.

Jamie Lindsay (off for Grant Ward 78') - 7

Some really enjoyable passages of play from the midfielder who is quickly becoming a popular figure amongst Gasheads. Won plenty of duels and linked up with his teammates well. Might be disappointed that he was up against Jack Moylan for Lincoln's equaliser but an impressive performance on the whole.

Shaq Forde (off for Ruel Sotiriou 86') - 8

There is certainly an X-Factor about the forward that others in this squad don't have. A really bright, attacking performance in which the 20-year-old put a tricky few weeks well behind him with his first Mem goal. Everything about his effort oozes class and he remained a threat throughout the second half. Shame to see him get booked.

Luke McCormick (off for Michael Forbes 71') - 6

A surprise starter but looked lively with a few lovely link up moments. Headed a difficult opportunity wide in the first half but didn't come any closer to scoring.

Isaac Hutchinson - 7

Had some lovely touches and passes with the attacking midfielder evidently more confident thatn earlier in his Gas tenure. However, took a good few of the deliveries from set-pieces and very few troubled the Lincoln defence.

Chris Martin (off for Bryant Bilongo 78') - 6

Very nearly had the opportunity to score he's been crying out for in these three games in which the striker has returned from injury. Had some good flicks as he then charged towards the penalty area but didn't quite receive the service he'd have desired.

Substitutes:

Michael Forbes (on 71) - 7

Dealt with everything that came his way.

Bryant Bilongo (on 78') - N/A

Came on late and made himself a nuisance up top but it's very clearly not his natural position.

Grant Ward (on 78') - N/A

Came on late.

Ruel Sotiriou (on 86') - N/A

Brief cameo for the forward.