WANDERERS (3-4-1-2).

JOEL DIXON…5.

From very early in the piece it was clear there was an unease in the defence without Trafford. Dixon just seems to have accumulated too much unwanted baggage.

EOIN TOAL…6.5.

Needed more game time and whilst there was a bit of flapping at the back, he restricted Collins to very little – which given his goal record is a decent effort.

RICARDO SANTOS…6.

It is never an easy ride for Santos when he first gets back from injury, and so this kind of game was a necessary evil. Blow away those cobwebs.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…6.5.

Other than one poor pass across his own box, didn’t do much wrong on the day. Got himself in the way of a few goal-bound efforts.

GETHIN JONES…6.

Made a really bright start and got a crucial touch on Shoretire’s opener. Gutted to see him limp off and can only hope the injury does not end his season.

JOSH SHEEHAN…6.

Really tidy in possession for the hour he was on the pitch. Made a decent case for a midfield start in the semi-final.

GEORGE THOMASON…6.

Had a sticky first half but kept working hard, and provided a nice lay-off for Nlundulu’s goal. Needed a bit of needle against a Joey Barton team.

DECLAN JOHN…6.

Didn’t see too much of the ball but looked tidy when Wanderers got him into the game and put down a decent marker for a start against Barnsley.

AARON MORLEY…8.

Got himself on the ball and kept Wanderers moving forward. His goal was a thing of beauty – and warms him up nicely for the incoming TV cameras.

SHOLA SHORETIRE…6.5.

A real step in the right direction for the young United forward. Dealt with the physical stuff, grabbed himself a goal and affected the game. Good to see.

VICTOR ADEBOYEJO…7.

Really put himself about and kept getting behind the Rovers defence with some excellent running in the channels. Unlucky not to score, too.

Subs: R Williams 28, 8 (for Jones) – Other than Morley, Wanderers’ star man on the day. Excellent.

MJ Williams 6.5, 45 (for Santos) – Slotted straight in again, which was some feat.

Lee 6, 60 (for Sheehan) – Knitted things together in the middle.

Nlundulu 7, 61 (for Shoretire) – Took his goal well and worked his proverbials off.

Jerome 6.5, 61 (for Adeboyejo) – Kept up the good work that Adeboyejo had started up top.

Not used: Charles, Kachunga.

Bristol Rovers (4-3-3): Belshaw; Hoole, Quansah, Gibson, Gordon; Evans, Ward, Finley; Sinclair, Coburn, Collins.

Subs: Marquis 45 (for Coburn), Whelan 78 (for Finley), Balcombe 81 (for Belshaw), Connolly 81 (for Quansah), MacDonald 81 (for Gordon), Bogarde 81 (for Evans), McCormick 90+6 (for Whelan) Referee: Will Finnie 7/10 – Stayed out of the limelight, which was good to see.

Attendance: 10,085