Bristol Rovers end losing run at Crewe in Steve Evans’ first game in charge

Bristol Rovers ended a run of 10 straight defeats with a 1-1 draw at Crewe in Steve Evans’ first game in charge.

Evans oversaw a gritty performance by the Gas whose passage was helped by the first-half dismissal of Crewe’s Adrien Thibaut.

The sides traded early goals with Emre Tezgel firing Crewe ahead in the ninth minute and Callum Morton levelling three minutes later.

Tezgel found the corner with a first-time strike from the edge of the box after Reece Hutchinson pulled the ball back.

But by the time the Stoke loanee hobbled off near the half-hour mark, the Railwaymen’s promising start had been dented by poor defending which gifted Rovers an equaliser and the dismissal of frontman Thibaut.

A misunderstanding between James Connolly and keeper Sam Waller allowed Morton to latch onto a through ball and finish into an empty net.

Thibaut clashed with defender Clinton Mola for a straight red card in the 30th minute.

As the half closed Rovers were indebted to keeper Luke Southwood, who used a leg to divert Josh March’s goalbound effort to safety.

After the restart Waller held a rising drive from Luke Thomas after the winger broke clear.

Rovers began to make the most of their numerical advantage and were close to grabbing a winner when Kamil Conteh clipped the near post with an effort from right of the box.