The best chance of the match arrived inside two minutes, as Aaron Drinan found Matty Virtue six yards out, but he could not convert.

Drinan then went through and failed to score, as did Virtue, whilst Connor Ripley denied Fabrizio Cavegn from close range, but neither side could find the breakthrough.

So, how did the players fare as individuals at the Memorial Stadium?

GK: Connor Ripley – 6

I am sure that Ripley would have been pleased for a quieter game than Tuesday. Bristol Rovers also had a lot of shots, although that was because they seemed to let fly every time they got within 40 yards of the goal. He did make one outstanding save from Cavegn, but it seemed quite routine after Barnet.

RCB: James Ball – 6

Having had a lot of injuries last season, it has been good to see Ball more regularly this season. In a back three abundant with young players, he provided the stability that the team needed to deal with a very physical team.

CB: Kaelan Majekodunmi – 7

He’s magic-odunmi, never believe it’s not so. With Joe Quigley coming into the side, all Rovers wanted to do was put the ball in the sky, and Majekodunmi dealt with the definitive League Two centre forward by matching him in every department.

LCB: Sam Inwood – 5

After finally getting to show what he is capable of, it was disappointing to see him go down with another injury.

Joe Snowdon skips away from his marker (Image: Focus Images)

RWB: Mitch Clark – 5

After an outstanding performance on Tuesday, Clark was not quite able to rampage forward in the same way. It was a solid display, defending resolutely, but without showing the other side of his game.

CM: Jack Thomson – 6

Thomson essentially had to hold the midfield together with all the flux around him, and he did very well. Eight defensive contributions and the desire to always play forward is what you are looking for from him.

CM: Tom Nichols – 7

He did tail off in the second half, but this was really impressive from Nichols. Ostensibly, he was playing deeper, and then he kept picking up space higher up and created chances. Everything good came through him.

LWB: Dan Butler – 5

The key difference between this game and Tuesday was that the wing-backs did not get forward as effectively. The endeavour from Butler was very useful, as he made some big tackles; he just didn’t do the other side so much.

Aaron Drinan charges forward for Swindon Town (Image: Andy Crook)

RAM: Matty Virtue – 3

You can argue that his getting into those positions is a positive and his intelligence off the ball is an asset. Only, that miss is a confounding, and taking that chance would have completely changed the game against a side reeling after five straight losses. It really was confounding.

LAM: Joe Snowdon – 5

In the early stages, Snowdon was switching positions, playing crisp passes, and picking up pockets of space. That is what he gives Swindon at his best, but he dropped off after about 20 minutes. Although that could go for the whole game.

ST: Aaron Drinan – 7

His chance was not as glaring as Virtue’s; it was just one you expect him to take. Up against a back three on his own, Drinan was imperious, embarrassing each Rovers centre back in equal measure, and he did enough for at least three assists, as much of his good work seemed to come out wide.

Substitutes:

Antwoine Hackford races beyond the Bristol Rovers defence (Image: Andy Crook)

Billy Kirkman – 6

Called upon at short notice and dealing with an aerial bombardment, which might not be his main strength, Kirkman was excellent, almost gifting Cavegn a goal aside.

Joseph Hungbo – 6

This was not his best performance, clearly, but he made the closing stages more exciting. He dropped the shoulder, played passes, and made an impact.

Antwoine Hackford – 3

The frustrating part is, a bit like Virtue, the chances to make a difference came his way, he just could not seem to do anything like what was required.

Joel McGregor – N/A

James Debayo – N/A