Match report: Fleetwood Town 0 Doncaster Rovers 0

Rovers failed to score for only the second time in 11 matches as they battled out a dour goalless draw at struggling Fleetwood Town.
Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers

Quality was largely lacking for both sides though the hosts arguably possessed the greater threat.

Darren Ferguson's Rovers struggled for real cohesion in a slog of an encounter but defended well enough within their own box to restrict the hosts to efforts from distance.

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Rovers had started with real intent from kick off with James Coppinger forcing a fine save from Chris Maxwell.

Debutant Lynden Gooch also showed his danger from range, firing just wide from the edge of the box.

But from there it was the hosts who took control. Their 4-3-3 system gave them plenty of space, particularly in wide man David Henen.

Fleetwood however struggled to fashion anything other than long distance efforts.

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Nick Haughton tested Thorsten Stuckmann with a rasping drive from 30 yards which the big German claimed at the second attempt.

Both teams conceded possession cheaply making for an open but poor quality affair.

Fleetwood had the edge however, working the ball well into wide areas to force Rovers onto the back foot.

Henen switched to the right and delivered a superb cross which full back Amari'i Bell glanced into the sidenetting at the back post.

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Rovers suffered a blow when Conor Grant was forced off after just 17 minutes, with Richard Chaplow replacing him.

The visitors began to settle into the game after the midpoint of the half and enjoyed solid spells of possession over a good 15 minute period.

Andy Williams narrowly failed to cut out a mis-placed pass across the Fleetwood box with keeper Chris Maxwell gratefully snatching the loose ball.

Coppinger worked himself into space ten yards out but somehow managed to put the ball out for a throw with his extremely wayward shot.

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Just before the half hour mark Gooch was close to marking his debut with a stunning goal. The stocky Sunderland forward powered off the left touchline and curled for the far top corner only to see Maxwell tip over with his fingertips.

Chaplow was a lively presence in the Rovers midfield and went close twice from outside the box.

The game petered out dramatically heading into the break with both sides seemingly happy to hear the whistle.

The quality levels hardly increased after the break with driving rain at Highbury hardly helping.

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Williams had his best chance for Rovers when fed through by Coppinger but his low strike was tipped away by Maxwell.

But passes were once again wayward from both sides making for a dis-jointed encounter.

Fleetwood boss Steven Pressley send on new signings Devante Cole and Alex Kiwomya in a bid to stir his team to life.

There was an excellent chance for Gooch but he mis-kicked when attempting to strike first time from a well-weighted pass.

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The hosts began to enjoy the better of the game and there were several nervy moments from a Rovers perspective.

Kiwomya drilled a cross across the face of goal with Cole only just failing to connect.

Antoni Sarcevic broke through but smashed straight at Stuckmann and Jimmy Ruan curled a free kick into the sidenetting from 25 yards.

Ryan then smashed a piledriver off the crossbar as Fleetwood continued to knock on the door with the game heading into the final ten minutes.

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Rovers struggled for any real sight of goal until Keegan forced a save from Maxwell with a drive from the edge of the box.

Ryan was again the dangerman for Fleetwood and smashed a shot just wide from 25 yards as the game moved into injury time.

Fleetwood: Maxwell, McLaughlin, Pond, Davis, Bell, Ryan, Jonsson, Sarcevic, Grant, Haughton 6 (Cole 59), Henen 7 (Kiwomya 59). Subs not used: Jordan, Forbes, Nirennold, Hunter, Gocic.

Rovers: Stuckmann, McCullough, MacKenzie 5 (Lund 58), Taylor-Sinclair, Alcock, Coppinger, Keegan, Grant (Chaplow 17), Evina, Williams, Gooch. Subs not used: Marosi, Davies, N'Guessan, Mandeville, Main.

Referee: Peter Bankes (Merseyside)

Attendance: 3,508 (582)