Bristol Rovers drew 0-0 against Swindon Town in League Two - here's how we rated the players

Bristol Rovers' four-game losing run in League Two came to an end, as they drew 0-0 against West Country rivals, Swindon Town, at The Mem.

The visitors missed a couple of big chances in the first-half through Aaron Drinan and Matty Virtue. Rovers were the better team in the second 45, but rarely tested Connor Ripley, with both teams having to settle for a point.

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

Brad Young - 8

Made an important save to deny Aaron Drinan in the 16th minute after the lively striker had been played through on goal. His distribution and claiming from crosses were also very impressive, which was his best performance of the season so far.

Kofi Balmer - 5.5

Kofi Balmer looked unsettled from the first whistle and was beaten far too easily for pace by Drinan in the second minute, only for the cut-back to be missed by Matty Virtue from close range. The Swindon talisman's movement was an issue for him all afternoon, but given Drinan's quality, he will have easier tests in this division.

Alfie Kilgour - 7

The captain looked the calmest and most composed out of the back three, winning some important headers and pushing the defensive line up well on a couple of occasions to ensure Drinan strayed offside. He covered for the two centre-backs alongside him often, who both weren't at their best.

Ciarán Kelly - 6

Ciarán Kelly, like Balmer, was below par and very wasteful in possession, often giving it away in dangerous areas, which created chances for the visitors. He was pretty dominant in the air and will hopefully grow in confidence after today's clean sheet.

Tom James - 6.5

Tom James forced Ripley to tip his right-footed shot behind for a corner in the 29th minute. Apart from that, he didn't create much at right wing-back, but not much came down his side defensively, and he continues to look like a solid summer signing.

Jack Sparkes - 6.5

Defensively, Jack Sparkes looked better today, with the added protection of a back three behind him helping his cause. His crosses to Joe Quigley at the backpost looked like Rovers' best route to goal in a first-half display that flattered to deceive. A couple of Sparkes' free-kicks were disappointing, but all in all, the left wing-back put in a solid performance.

Richie Smallwood (off for Keenan Gough, 63') - 7

Kept the ball well and made some important interceptions and tackles. In a game that needed a calming presence in the middle, with Rovers in desperate need of a win, Richie Smallwood performed well alongside Clinton Mola and will be hopeful of another start at Fleetwood Town next week.

Clinton Mola - 7.5

Mola snapped into challenges and provided the bite that Rovers needed in a midfield two. He is becoming one of the most consistent performers in this team, and the Gas could find it difficult to keep hold of him in January at this rate.

Shaq Forde - 5.5

Struggled to get into the game, as Rovers often opted for the long ball directed towards Quigley. The 22-year-old had a shot blocked in the 17th minute by a Swindon defender, but it was an underwhelming display for a player who desperately needs a goal to boost his confidence.

Joe Quigley - 7

Quigley came into the team and provided Rovers with a physical presence in the absence of Ellis Harrison. In a first half in which very few performed, the 29-year-old held the ball up well and won some important fouls to get the hosts up the pitch. He continued this after the break and was a handful for the visitors throughout.

Evans also thought the striker was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet in the dying stages, when his header found the back of the net, but the referee gave a foul in the box.

Fabrizio Cavegn (off for Bobby Kamwa, 63') - 6

Fabrizio Cavegn was unfortunate to be denied by Ripley in the first-half, when his first-time right-footed effort was well saved by the Swindon shot-stopper. It was one of three shots on target that the Swiss striker and he will be frustrated that one of them didn't go in.

Substitutes:

Keenan Gough - 6

Came on and looked steady, keeping the ball well and driving Rovers up the pitch. Evans said post-match that the Charlton Athletic loanee needed a rest, but he might find it difficult to regain his starting place next week, given Smallwood's performance in the first 63 minutes today.

Bobby Kamwa (off for Reiss Russell-Denny, 71') - N/A

Only played for eight minutes before he was taken off with an injury. Hopefully it's not serious.

Reiss Russell-Denny - 5.5

Only touched the ball 10 times during his cameo and looked a tad lightweight in a couple of moments. I do have sympathy for Reiss Russell-Denny, especially when coming on in a derby in such poor conditions.

With Forde's recent form, maybe he needs another chance to start, rather than coming on in the second half.