Doncaster Rovers: We've got to keep fighting insists Ferguson

Darren Ferguson admits Doncaster Rovers are running out of time in their battle against relegation to League Two '“ but has urged his players to keep on fighting.
James Coppinger looks to win an aerial battle during Rovers' damaging defeat to BlackpoolJames Coppinger looks to win an aerial battle during Rovers' damaging defeat to Blackpool
James Coppinger looks to win an aerial battle during Rovers' damaging defeat to Blackpool

Rovers endured the worst possible Easter period as they lost to relegation rivals Colchester United and Blackpool, ending the weekend four points from safety.

Losing 1-0 to Blackpool yesterday was Rovers’ seventh consecutive defeat and took their recent horror run of form to picking up a single point from 12 matches.

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Ferguson says Rovers have no time to wallow and must quickly turn their attention to Saturday’s trip to Rochdale and a hope they will get something from the game.

“We have to continue going,” he said.

“The Easter period was always going to be important because if we got the positive results we felt we’d be out of the bottom four.

“It’s been the worst possible Easter in terms of results, and that was always the most important thing for us going in.

“All it’s done is cement our position in the bottom four.

“It’s going to be difficult but we have to continue believing we can get something out of it.

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“I know it’s obvious but the Rochdale game is the most important one now because it’s the next one.

“We have to hope we can go there and get something.

“Clearly we are running out of time.”

Ferguson felt his side deserved to win yesterday and said Mark Cullen’s heavily deflected late goal was the perfect example of things not going Rovers’ way.

The Scot was pleased with the response of his players following his scathing assessment of their performance on Good Friday at Colchester.

And he insists they must show the same application again as they look to wrestle their way out of trouble.

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He said: “It was similar to the Peterborough game where we were full of ascendency and well on top in the game.

“Things are just not falling. I can’t remember us scoring a goal like that where it’s deflected and looped in.

“I hope the players understand they have to continue playing with that attitude.

“It wasn’t pretty at times and it wasn’t beautiful football but they showed the correct application.”

Ferguson confirmed Paul Keegan missed yesterday’s game with a hamstring strain while Gary MacKenzie was out with a dead leg.