Inigo Calderon's first game in charge of Bristol Rovers ended in a drab 3-0 defeat at Stevenage as the Gas played the majority of the second half with 10 men after Jamie Lindsay saw two yellow cards.

A bright start from the Gas which saw Promise Omochere fire the first opportunity of the match wide quickly fell apart as Stevenage began to turn the screw with good opportunities for Jamie Reid and Lewis Freestone not converted before Elliot List headed home a good cross from Luther James-Wildin to hand the hosts the lead.

Rovers then saw a headed opportunity of their own fall to Shaq Forde, albeit a tame effort, after a good cross from Scott Sinclair before Omochere produced a perfect square ball across goal that none of his teammates in green went for.

A minute of madness early in the second half saw the game get away from the Gas as Jamie Lindsay was shown a second yellow card before Stevenage doubled their lead from the resulting corner as Jordan Roberts was allowed acres of space to fire home.

Rovers weren't short of endeavour but couldn't find a consolation goal before being caught on the break late on and conceding a third via Jamie Reid.

Here's how we rated the players...

READ MORE: Stevenage 3-0 Bristol Rovers live: Reaction as 10-man Gas defeated in Calderon's first game

READ MORE: Inigo Calderon reflects on 'difficult first day' as Bristol Rovers are well-beaten at Stevenage

Josh Griffiths - 5

One good save in the second half to deny Jamie Reid from making it 3-0 but didn't have much else to do bar picking the ball out of his net three times.

Joel Senior - 6

Up there with Bristol Rovers' better players on a tough afternoon. Defended his flank for the most part, tracking up and down the pitch and did well on a couple of occasions where he was the last man up against a Stevenage counter.

Connor Taylor - 5

Good aerially as usual but couldn't prevent the three goals from going in.

James Wilson - 5

Received a yellow card he seemed to strongly disagree with. Solid for the most part up against a physical side but couldn't stop the two goals conceded.

Clinton Mola (off for Lino Sousa 68') - 4

Didn't cover himself in any glory for the first goal. Had more than enough time to clear but had the ball nicked off him as Luther James-Wildin was given space to put in a peach of a cross for Elliot List to head home. A bad day for the left-back.

Jamie Lindsay (sent off 53') - 4

The first yellow card was debatable for a loose elbow, a challenge that was repeated by a Stevenage player once or twice that went unpunished. However, the second yellow is poor from an experienced player considering he knew he was booked. As one of Rovers' better ball players, the midfielder was going to be important for the Gas getting back in the game. A real shame as Lindsay now faces a suspension and Kamil Conteh's fitness is unclear at the time of writing.

Luke McCormick (off for Grant Ward 68') - 6

A really nice energy and tenacity about his game in the first half alongside some outstanding touches but that disintegrated in the second half as the game got away from Rovers and the midfielder got himself booked for shirt pull in the heat of the moment.

Shaq Forde (off for Luke Thomas 58') - 5

Unlucky at times as he attempted to drive past his man but couldn't quite wriggle through into space. Did get an effort on goal when making headed contact with a cross from Scott Sinclair but it was a straightforward effort for Stevenage goalkeeper Murphy Cooper to deal with.

Isaac Hutchinson (off for Ruel Sotiriou 77') - 5

Lost the ball too much for his liking in the first half. After an excellent game on Boxing Day, the midfielder didn't quite offer the same level of offensive impact.

Scott Sinclair (off for Gatlin O'Donkor 58') - 6

Produced a peach of a cross for Shaq Forde late in the first half and was involved in some tidy moments.

Promise Omochere - 6.5

Pick of the bunch. Worked his socks off and should have come away with an assist, possibly a goal too. Couldn't have done any more in regards to putting pressure on the backline.

Substitutes:

Luke Thomas (on 58') - 6

Zipped around but to little effect. One or two okay crosses.

Gatlin O'Donkor (on 58') - 6

Not short of effort. One tame effort on goal.

Lino Sousa (on 68') - 5

One wild clearance.

Grant Ward (on 68') - 6

Solid in the middle. Set for a start now with Kamil Conteh's injury and Jamie Lindsay's suspension.

Ruel Sotiriou (on 77') - N/A

Came on late but buzzed around, getting involved from the off.

READ MORE: Every word Inigo Calderon and George Friend said as new Bristol Rovers head coach met media

READ MORE: George Friend details Bristol Rovers managerial recruitment process after hiring Inigo Calderon