Garner was sacked after the Pirates’ winless streak stretched to four league matches.
A club statement read: “Bristol Rovers can confirm that it has parted company with manager Ben Garner.
“Tommy Widdrington will be taking charge of first-team duties on a temporary basis, while the club commences the process of appointing a new manager.
“The club would like to thank Ben Garner for all his hard work.”
A Callum Camps free-kick and low finish from Paddy Madden put the visitors 2-0 up. Josh Grant reduced the deficit but Camps struck again before Ched Evans completed the scoring from the penalty spot.
Garner had earlier apologised to Rovers fans for their team’s first-half display at a windswept Memorial Stadium.
He said: “The first-half performance was unacceptable. We didn’t even compete or get the basics right.
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