Doncaster Rovers: Darren Ferguson blasts performance in Exeter win but lauds impact sub Liam Mandeville

The Doncaster Rovers squad looked set for an awkward journey home from Exeter City despite their brilliant Liam Mandeville-inspired comeback win at St James' Park.
Darren FergusonDarren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson

Darren Ferguson admitted his bitter disappointment over his side's performance for three quarters of the game and kept his post-match team talk brief.

He promised to re-watch the game on the long bus ride back north and his squad are unlikely to be keen to engage him in conversation during the journey.

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Ferguson was full of praise for substitute Mandeville however as he came off the bench to cancel out Reuben Reid's penalty before setting up two goals for John Marquis.

"It was a good result in the end," Ferguson said.

"Liam has come on and changed the game really. He was excellent, he was clinical. He scored the first and set up the next two.

"He was without a shadow of a doubt the difference.

"I was very brief with my players after the game. They know exactly what I feel about the performance and it'll stay in the dressing room.

"I'm just pleased we managed to dig out a win because the win is the most important thing.

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"But up until Liam came on, we were no where near the standards we expect."

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Match report: Exeter City 1 Doncaster Rovers 3

"The reason we won the game was Liam Mandeville. Up until that game we were no where near where we should be.

"There's no excuses for the performance. We didn't function as a team, we were no where near good enough on the ball.

"I'll have a good look through the game on the way back. We've got a long journey back and I'll pick the bits and pieces out of it.

"But I wasn't happy with the performance today.

Ferguson confirmed Andy Butler was withdrawn at half time with a neck issue resulting from his back injury at Oldham Athletic the week before.