Doncaster Rovers v Plymouth Argyle: '˜We owe them one' - John Marquis

Doncaster Rovers welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Keepmoat this weekend looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points.

But there will inevitably be thoughts of revenge on the minds of some after the events of the reverse fixture in December.

A surprisingly reserved Plymouth outfit triumphed 2-0, though an incident at the end of the game dominates the memory.

Liam Mandeville missed a penalty and was goaded by Luke McCormick, which angered James Coppinger enough to grab the Argyle keeper by the throat, earning himself a red card.

Boss Darren Ferguson has attempted to play down talk of a revenge mission.

But John Marquis feels as though Rovers ‘owe one’ to their nearest challengers for the title.

“We feel like we played quite well down there,” Marquis said. “They showed us a lot of respect but we didn’t get the result we deserved.

“Copps getting sent off, which we felt was soft.

“I’d say we owe them one.

“But we’re not going to get too caught up in the occasion. It’s just another game.

“We’re going to apply ourselves, train hard, get the right amount of rest and the right amount of work and we’ll be ready.

“It’s the most important game of the season because it’s the next one but then the next one after that will be the most important.

“We just need to keep winning games.”

Though Rovers and Plymouth are the only two sides still harbouring realistic hopes of topping League Two come May, Marquis says this weekend’s clash cannot be labelled a decider.

But he does admit a win for Rovers would be a hammerblow to their nearest rivals.

He said: “I wouldn’t say it was a title showdown.

“I think they know if they lose this game they’re going to have to work extremely hard to come anywhere near to us.”

After picking up nine points in the space of a week – culminating with the 4-1 win at Leyton Orient on Saturday – Rovers will be boosted by their eight day break between games, according to Marquis.

“I think the freshness in our game will definitely help us,” he said. “The way we play, press, move the ball quickly and that we’re a high energy team. we may need the rest after a tough week.

“It could work either way but we’re going to give ourselves the best chance of beating Plymouth.”

Marquis now sits on 23 goals for the season and more than two fifths of his career goals have come during this campaign alone.

A brace last week against Orient took him two ahead of Barnet’s John Akinde in the race for the golden boot.

It is his incredible run of form which means he is relishing every opportunity to be out on the pitch.

He said: “I’m looking forward to every game.

“I’ve enjoyed this season so much and there’s eight more games left.

“Hopefully it takes us to promotion and the championship.”