Rovers roaring after tough Tigers test

AFTER beating the Wolves and drawing with the Tigers in successive games, Doncaster Rovers can look forward with confidence to meeting the Lions on Saturday week.

There is, of course, the visit of Premiership champions Manchester United to look forward to on Friday night before Millwall check in at the Keepmoat.

But that game is not expected to teach Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll anything new about his players.

Whilst delighted to have been able to entertain both Manchester clubs during the pre-season build-up, O'Driscoll has always maintained that the games against Championship sides Wolves and Hull City would be the most important in terms of evaluating his new-look squad.

On the basis of the last two games, O'Driscoll has every reason to be pleased wth how things have gone to date with his new signings all having settled in well.

With big striker Mark McCammon - whose physical presence Rovers have lacked in the box - set to play some part against United, everything looks to be on course.

Rovers defender James O'Connor, who started on the right of midfield, made a bright start and forced the early pace.

But they fell behind on seven minutes when City were awarded a penalty after right-back Sam Hird handled, and veteran striker Dean Windass drilled his low spot kick to Neil Sullivan's right.

Rovers' claims for a 13th minute penalty fell on deaf ears.

Rovers skipper Adam Lockwood had a header deflected during a period of sustained pressure during which time they forced several corners.

City striker Richard Garcia found himself in space on the right after latching on to a crossfield ball, but keeper Neil Sullivan got down well to smother his angled shot.

Rovers drew level on 26 minutes when Martin Woods capitalised on good work down the right by Dyer when beating keeper Matt Duke from just inside the area.

Duke did well to deny a cracking 25-yard effort by midfielder Mark Wilson at the expence of a corner on 31 minutes.

Bryan Hughes got a 20-yard strike on target in the 34th minute, but his shot lacked any real power and Sullivan made an easy collection.

City should have regained the lead on 42 minutes, but Garcia shot wide of the near post with a gilt-edged chance.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll made five changes at the start of the second half whereas City fielded an unchanged side.

Ritchie Wellens volleyed over on 52 minutes after chesting down a defensive clearance and latching on to McDaid's pass.

Record signing James Hayter had a shot on target blocked by a defender three minutes later.

McDaid, switched to midfield in the second half after starting the game at left-back, tested Duke with an angled effort in the 64th minute after being set free in the box by the hard-working Wellens.

Turner almost put in his own goal on 70 minutes with Rovers having claims for second penalty turned down from the corner.

Rovers brought on trialist centre-back Lawrence Yiga three minutes later.

Stephen McPhee went close to giving City the lead on 74 minutes - Sullivan saving well at the expence of a corner.

Replacement keeeper Ben Smith did well to get a hand to a shot by Marney on 84 minutes with Michael Bridges hitting the bar from the follow up.

Marney tried his luck with an angled 20-yard effort, during a strong finish.

Craig Nelthorpe, who had earlier made a couple of jinking runs, picked out Lewis Guy at the far post in stoppage time but the header lacked strength.Matchfacts

Rovers

Sullivan, Hird, Greer, Lockwood, McDaid

Wellens, Woods, Wilson, Coppinger, Dyer. Subs: Hayter (Dyer 46) Nelthorpe (Woods), G Roberts (Greer 46) Green (O'Connor 46) Noble (McDaid 78) Griffith (Wellens 73), Heffernan (Coppinger 64), Yiga (Lockwood 73), Smith (Sullivan 83).

Hull

Duke, Doyle, Coles, Turner, Dawson, Barnby, Garcia, Marney, Livermore, Hughes, Windass.

Subs: Ashbee (Livermore 60) Elloit (Garcia 82) Bridges (for Barnby 83)m Featherstone (Hughes 68), Ricketts, (for Dawson 57), McPhee (Windass 66).

Details

Referee: C Boyeson

Attendance: 2,926.