Bristol Rovers player ratings from Plymouth Argyle Vertu Trophy exit | Bristol Live

Bristol Rovers lost 4-3 against Plymouth Argyle in the Vertu Trophy - here's how we rated the players

Bristol Rovers' Vertu Trophy has come to an end after a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Plymouth Argyle at The Mem. Bim Pepple scored in the 94th minute for the Pilgrims to book their place in the last eight.

It was a dramatic night in North Bristol, with both managers sent off and seven goals. Ultimately, the Pilgrims progressed to the quarter-finals, thanks to Pepple's late strike. Shaq Forde, Fabrizio Cavegn, and Luke Thomas scored for the Gas in what was a promising attacking display.

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

Luke Southwood - 5.5

The Northern Ireland international couldn't have done much about the four goals scored by the visitors. He made three saves on the night and was visibly frustrated after Pepple's last-minute winner.

Joel Senior (off for Kofi Balmer, 83) - 6.5

Joel Senior looked bright for the Gas, especially in the first-half. In the 15th minute, he picked up the ball in his defensive half before racing forward and finding Isaac Hutchinson on the edge of the box, who was unable to get the ball under control. In Macauley Southam-Hales' absence, Senior looks to a reliable figure at right-back.

Taylor Moore - 5

Taylor Moore wasn't at his best on Tuesday, and his error in the 94th minute proved costly, as his misplaced pass allowed Ronan Curtis to drive forward on the right-wing and deliver the ball to Pepple, who was unmarked at the backpost. Lorent Tolaj was a nuisance for Moore and Alfie Kilgour throughout, and they struggled to deal with League One's joint-top goalscorer, especially in the second half.

Alfie Kilgour - 5.5

Kilgour's match was probably summed up by the tussle with Tolaj just before the interval which the referee awarded a foul to Rovers, leading to Tom Cleverley being given a red card for protesting the decision. He will have much easier tasks than marking Tolaj in League Two.

Jack Sparkes - 7

Jack Sparkes was outstanding in the first-half, nearly scoring twice after Plymouth's early opener before starting the move for Forde's equaliser. In his post-match press conference, he admitted to feeling frustrated that he lost his man from the corner, which resulted in Brendan Galloway making it 2-2 just after the break. Despite this, Sparkes continues to thrive under Steve Evans, and he is one of the first names on the teamsheet right now.

Tom Lockyer - 5.5

After his early mistake, which allowed Plymouth to score through Caleb Watts after only two minutes, Tom Lockyer slightly improved, especially in the second half. In fact, it was unfortunate not to score, with a couple of headers from Sparkes' deliveries. Having said that, Lockyer didn't look as comfortable in the number six role as he did at Shrewsbury Town, and with Josh McEachran still out injured, it might be a position that Evans is still looking to strengthen.

Kamil Conteh - 6.5

Kamil Conteh is one of the players who has benefited most from Evans' arrival. He registered another assist for Cavegn's goal and won five out of his seven ground duels on the night. Rovers pressed effectively in the first-half and Conteh was impressive at snapping into tackles and breaking up Plymouth's attacks before they gained any real momentum - an important part of the midfield under the new head coach.

Isaac Hutchinson (off for Ryan De Havilland, 75') - 6

Hutchinson dipped in and out of the game. He looked tidy on the ball and worked hard defensively, with one of the best moments coming in the first-half when he put in a strong tackle on Matty Sorinola, which allowed Forde to lay the ball to Conteh, who went on to set up the goalscorer, Cavegn. The number eight will be keen to score on his league return on Saturday.

Shaq Forde - 7

Forde's comeback since the red card against Bromley has been nothing short of impressive. He looked lively throughout and deserved his goal in the first-half after a perfectly-weighted ball from Cavegn on the left-wing. Evans looks to be getting the best out of Forde, in terms of getting him to work hard defensively and also allowing him to play with freedom when he receives the ball in dangerous positions.

He made three tackles and one interception on the night, showing that there is more to his game than just goals and assists, which he has provided in the last two matches.

Luke Thomas (off for Ellis Harrison, 83') - 8

Thomas was brilliant for Rovers on Tuesday and was my man of the match. Like Forde, he tracked back tirelessly throughout the game and was such a threat whenever he got the ball in attack. His second half strike, which saw him fire a left-footed half volley into the corner, was an absolute beauty and he deserves another start on Saturday.

Fabrizio Cavegn - 7.5

Cavegn also appears to be rejuvenated under Evans and is more involved in the game. Instead of backing into defenders and trying to hold up long balls directed towards him, he is receiving the ball at his feet more often under the new head coach and when he gets it in dangerous positions on the edge of the box, he often delivers. He tucked away a perfectly placed right-footed effort in the first-half and also delivered an inch-perfect assist to Forde.

Substitutes:

Ryan De Havilland - 6

Only played 15 minutes, so it was hard to get a real idea of the sort of player he is. Before this one, he'd only played twice for Peterborough United in all competitions, so Rovers fans will have to be patient with the new recruit as he builds up his minutes.

Ellis Harrison - 6

Ellis Harrison only came on for seven minutes and showed what the Gas miss when he is not on the pitch. His physical presence caused the Plymouth defence some problems in the closing stages and was unlucky not to profit from a Kofi Balmer long throw in the 87th minute.

Kofi Balmer - 6

An eventual cameo which saw him booked and also nearly got an assist from his enormous throw. He will be in contention to start on Saturday after tonight's leaky defensive display.