Steve Evans enjoys ‘magical’ FA Cup moment for Reiss Russell-Denny

Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans praised on-loan Tottenham midfielder Reiss Russell-Denny after his classy strike put the Gas on course for a shock 2-0 FA Cup win over Cambridge.

Russell-Denny broke the deadlock on 57 minutes with a 20-yard strike before Fabrizio Cavegn scored with another long-range effort on 72 minutes as the League Two side shrugged off a seven-game winless streak to humble League One opponents.

Evans said: “I’m pleased for Reiss because to score a goal of that quality in the FA Cup is magical.

“His potential is really high and we just need him to assert himself, which he did today and crowned it with a fantastic strike.

“Reiss is a genuine talent and on the ball he’s a real asset because he’s clever and inventive.

“At half-time I asked him to have a bit more belief because he’s got the ability and was rewarded for backing himself.

“He was clearly born with excellent technique and it’s just a matter of working on the other part of his locker.

“He could hardly walk at the end because he was cramping up and that said it all about how much work he got through for his team.”

Cambridge manager Neil Harris, who saw Sullay Kaikai blast an 82nd-minute penalty against the crossbar, said the visiting supporters were owed an apology.

“I feel for the fans that travelled because we didn’t give a good account of ourselves,” Harris said.

“I’m sorry for their cost and time and it’s down to the players to apologise for the performance, but we played our part as well.

“We stood up to the physical onslaught for large parts and competed, winning headers and tackles, but we didn’t do the other side of it. We didn’t play. We didn’t keep the ball.”