Bristol Rovers beat Tranmere Rovers 2-1 in League Two – here’s how we rated the players

Yusuf Akhamrich of Bristol Rovers celebrate scoring a goal to make it 1-2 during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Tranmere Rovers and Bristol Rovers at Prenton Park, Birkenhead on 18th April 2026 – PHOTO: Steve Flynn/PPAUK

Bristol Rovers won their seventh league game in a row for the first time since 1953, thanks to a 2-1 victory against relegation-threatened Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.

The Gas made four changes to the starting lineup that beat Crawley Town, and they were second-best in the first-half. After the break, they improved, though, with Promise Omochere scoring five minutes after coming on.

Jayden Joseph equalised for the hosts, but another substitute – Yusuf Akhamrich – scored the winner in the 84th minute to give the Gas a seventh straight league win.

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

READ MORE: Steve Evans on Jed Ward and his prospects for next seasonREAD MORE: ‘Three or four players identified for every position’ – Steve Evans on Bristol Rovers transfer window plansBrad Young – 7

Another solid display from Brad Young, who made two important saves on the afternoon. He was booked in the closing stages after protesting a late challenge on him by a Tranmere player. Young will have his eyes on locking down the number one spot for the start of next season now.

Joel Senior – 6

Joel Senior struggled defensively on the right-hand side of a back four in the first-half, but improved after the break, with Rovers looking more of an attacking threat.

While there were no glaring errors from Senior, it’s clear that his best position is right wing-back, which, if Alfie Kilgour, Tom Lockyer, or Clinton Mola were fit, would have probably seen the Gas start with a back three today, with the 26-year-old playing higher.

Joel Senior of Bristol Rovers clears the ball during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Tranmere Rovers and Bristol Rovers at Prenton Park, Birkenhead on 18th April 2026 – PHOTO: Steve Flynn/PPAUK

Kofi Balmer – 7

Another committed display from Kofi Balmer, who remains a brilliant signing. He won six out of nine duels and looked steady alongside Riley Harbottle in a back four.

Balmer was booked in the 63rd minute for an off-the-ball incident, but the feistiness he shows is one of the many reasons that the Gasheads have fallen in love with this loan player.

Riley Harbottle – 7

Like Balmer, Harbottle rarely looked flustered, and they both stood up to the test of Tranmere, especially in the first half, when the hosts were on top. The 25-year-old made three tackles, two important blocks, and looked calm in possession as Rovers secured a seventh straight win.

Jack Sparkes – 6

Jack Sparkes was a steady presence on the left-hand side of Rovers’ defence for the majority of the game, defending well when he needed to and whipping in a couple of dangerous crosses into the box. He will be frustrated by the goal that saw him lose his marker, though, as Joseph crept in at the back post to equalise.

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Ryan De Havilland – 6

Ryan De Havilland came into the starting lineup for the first time since the win against Harrogate Town and put in a brilliant dinked ball over the top to find Joe Quigley in the 10th minute, but the striker couldn’t get it out of his feet.

The 24-year-old was the deepest of the four midfielders in Rovers’ diamond in the first-half, which left the visitors exposed on the flanks too often. Not his most convincing display since joining the club in January.

Tommy Leigh (off for Josh McEachran, 46′) – 6

Tommy Leigh was on the wrong end of a forceful challenge from Nohan Kenneh in the first-half that could have resulted in a red card. The Tranmere player was only booked, though, and the Bradford City loanee struggled to get into the game after this.

Despite a dangerous free-kick just before the break, Leigh was taken off at half-time due to his knock, with Josh McEachran replacing him.

Kane Thompson-Sommers (off for Yusuf Akhamrich, 78′) – 6

While it was a battling display from Kane Thompson-Sommers, he struggled to get a grip of the midfield for the majority of the game. Off the ball, he worked tirelessly, but frustrated in possession.

The MK Dons loanee was too easily dispossessed in the 76th minute, which led to a Tranmere chance on the counter attack.

Shaq Forde (off for Mees Rijks, 90+6′) – 7

Shaq Forde struggled to get into the game in the first-half, but still had some nice touches, including when he took it past the defender and eventually shot over in the 19th minute.

He was more involved in the second half and got the assist for Akhamrich’s winner after playing it out to him on the right wing. Forde always looks dangerous in that number 10 role, which is clearly his best position.

Shaq Forde of Bristol Rovers celebrates after Promise Omochere of Bristol Rovers scored to make it 0-1 during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Tranmere Rovers and Bristol Rovers at Prenton Park, Birkenhead on 18th April 2026 – PHOTO: Steve Flynn/PPAUK

Joe Quigley (off for Ellis Harrison, 78′) – 6.5

Quigley should have done better with the aforementioned chance in the 10th minute, set up De Havilland, but his hold-up play was impressive, like usual. He won six out of eight aerial duels and put in a big shift for the visitors.

Fabrizio Cavegn (off for Promise Omochere, 60′) – 6

Rovers’ top goalscorer made his first start since the 2-0 against Accrington Stanley on March 28. While he was isolated for large parts, he did well on a couple of occasions to win fouls when the Gas were coming under pressure. The Swiss striker will want to be more involved in the final two games after having only 13 touches during his time on the pitch.

Substitutes:Josh McEachran – 6.5

A steady cameo from McEachran, who looked tidy in possession both in a 4-4-2 diamond and the 4-2-3-1 that Rovers switched to at the end of the game. He’ll have his eyes on a start in the final two matches.

Promise Omochere – 7.5

What an impact from Omochere. Five minutes after coming on, he won the ball back on the left wing before taking it past two defenders and firing past Marko Marosi. A brilliant moment for the club’s record signing, who was a threat throughout his 30-minute cameo.

Yusuf Akhamrich – 7.5

Another week, another game where Akhamrich comes off the bench and scores a decisive goal. You just knew that when he received the ball from Forde, he would deliver.

The 20-year-old has so much talent and looks destined to play the game at a higher level.

Yusuf Akhamrich of Bristol Rovers celebrate scoring a goal to make it 1-2 during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Tranmere Rovers and Bristol Rovers at Prenton Park, Birkenhead on 18th April 2026 – PHOTO: Steve Flynn/PPAUK

Ellis Harrison – 6

It was hard to judge Ellis Harrison’s cameo too much today, especially in the closing stages of the game when Rovers were holding on for the three points. He will want a return to the starting lineup against Cheltenham Town.

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