Defeat in the first-round of the Carabao Cup for Rovers.
Rovers bowed out of the Carabao Cup after defeat against Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium. Former Rovers player Tom Nichols getting the only goal in the game.
Joey Barton made one change to his starting XI for our First-Round Carabao Cup clash against League Two outfit Crawley Town. Alfie Kilgour replacing James Gibbons. The Rovers team also featured three academy players on the substitute's bench.
The hosts were the first side to threaten the scoreline. Belshaw passing the ball straight to Crawley captain Tom Nichols who looked to capitalise on the Rovers No.1's mistake, but Belshaw made amends immediately and spread himself wide to deny Nichols from about 12-yards out.
In a first half that yielded little goal-mouth action, Crawley were the ones who posed the greater threat in the game. A volleyed effort from George Francomb fizzed past Belshaw's far post brought about the end to the first-half goal chances.
The Gas began the second half with a much quicker tempo. Aaron Collins got in behind the Crawley back line and pulled the trigger but was already falling as he hit it and Crawley goalkeeper Corey Addai was able to bat the ball behind for a corner.
A second presentable opportunity fell to the Rovers No.10 only minutes later. After a well-worked move, the ball was shifted to Luca Hoole on the far side of the pitch who hit the ball across the Crawley penalty area to the feet of Collins who was unable to hit the target with his effort.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 73rd minute. Former Rovers player Tom Nichols was put through one-on-one with Belshaw who did well to save the Crawley captain's first shot but was unfortunate to see the ball rebound out to Nichols who rolled the ball into an empty net to put the hosts in the lead.
Crawley came within inches of doubling their lead. Aramide Oteh looked to place his effort into the far corner but got his angles ever so slightly wrong and saw his shot clip the foot of the far post and roll away from the danger in what was the last meaningful action of the tie.
Next up for the Gas is a return to League One action at The Mem this weekend against Oxford United (12:30pm KO).
Crawley Town: Corey Addai, Dion Conroy, George Francomb, Tony Craig, Jack Powell, Tom Nichols ©, Ashley Nadesan, Ludwig Francillette, Kwesi Appiah, Jake Hessenthaler, Mazeed Ogungbo.
Subs: Roshan Greensall, Harry Ransom, James Balagizi, Travis Johnson, Aramide Oteh, Raf Khaleel, Teddy Jenks, Owen Gallacher.
Rovers: James Belshaw, Alfie Kilgour, Luca Hoole, James Connolly, Lewis Gordon, Sam Finley ©, Antony Evans, Aaron Collins, John Marquis, Ryan Loft, Harry Anderson.
Subs: Jed Ward, Harvey Saunders, Glenn Whelan, Ryan Jones, Harvey Greenslade, Jerry Lawrence, Malik Sesay, Charlie White, Lene Burden.
Referee: David Rock
Attendance: 1,860 (241 away)