Bristol Rovers 0 Doncaster Rovers 2: Ben Whiteman and Rakish Bingham make it three on the trot for dominant Doncaster

A pair of late goals handed Doncaster Rovers a deserved win at Bristol Rovers to make it three consecutive wins in League One.
Ben Whiteman slots Rovers ahead at Bristol Rovers. Picture: Gareth Williams/AHPIX LTDBen Whiteman slots Rovers ahead at Bristol Rovers. Picture: Gareth Williams/AHPIX LTD
Ben Whiteman slots Rovers ahead at Bristol Rovers. Picture: Gareth Williams/AHPIX LTD

It had looked set to be a thoroughly frustrating afternoon for Rovers as they failed to turn dominance of possession and territory into goals.

But skipper Ben Whiteman showed tremendous composure under pressure to fire them ahead late in the game before Rakish Bingham curled in a wonderful effort in stoppage time to make sure of the win.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Darren Moore made one change to the side that beat Shrewsbury Town in midweek with Madger Gomes replacing James Coppinger who dropped to the bench where both Cameron John and Matty Blair returned after injury.

Rovers started superbly, taking advantage of a tremendous amount of space afforded to them by the hosts. They dominated possession and probed away with passing while Bristol Rovers looked nervy both in and out of possession.

Blustery conditions seemed to be hampering the home side much more with goalkeeper Jordi Van Stappenshoef forced to push away a cross from Kieran Sadlier that he lost sight of while Whiteman struck a volley on the follow-up into the ground.

Sadlier drilled a shot from 30 yard which looped up off an oustretched leg and fored Van Stappenshoef to tip over.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Whiteman produced a stunning pass out from the back to release Jon Taylor on the counter but he overhit his cross and the chance went begging.

Doncaster continued to dominate possession but found converting it into true threat in the final third a step too far on too many occasions.

Seny Dieng endured a nery moment as the conditions took hold. The wind altered the path of a hopeful ball forward from Josh Barrett forcing the Rovers keeper into a lunging challenge outside his box to deny Alex Rodman.

Rovers started the second half the stronger, pushing forward well against the wind.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sadlier lashed a first time effort narrowly over the bar after a searching run from Madger Gomes while Niall Ennis stabbed a volley wide from close range.

Bristol Rovers showed a rare threat hen Jonson Clarke-Harris lashed an effort from 25 yards which drifted wide.

The hosts, roared on by a frustrated support, began to enjoy more of the ball while affording Doncaster less time on it.

But both sides struggled for chances on goal with the final ball continuing to let down Doncaster in particular.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rodman turned a header on goal whihch deflected off Reece James and out for a corner while Bingham put a diving header well wide at the other end moments later.

Clarke-Harris really should have put his side ahead heading into the finl five minutes when he wrestled space for a diving header at the back post but put it wide from close range.

Doncaster finally broke the deadlock on 87 minutes.

Halliday spotted the run of Whiteman and pushed a ball through. The skipper controlled it superbly to carry the ball into the box before clipping a shot beyond van Stappershoef.

Rovers looked to see the game out but delivered a moment of magic to make sure of it in stoppage time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bingham held up the ball and released fellow substitute James Coppinger. Just as it looked as though he would carry the ball into the corner, he delivered a backhell to put Bingham into the box and the forward curled a wonderful effort into the far corner to wrap up the points.

BRISTOL ROVERS: van Stappershoef; Menayese, Craig, Kilgour; Rodman, Upson, Hargreaves (Holmes-Dennis 80), Sercombe, Leahy (Mitchell-Lawson 89); Clarke-Harris, Barrett (Reilly 63). Subs not used: Junior, Nichols, Davies, Kelly.

DONCASTER: Dieng; Halliday, Wright, Anderson, James; Whiteman, Gomes (Coppinger 65); Taylor (Blair 90), Sheaf, Sadlier (Bingham 73); Ennis. Subs not use: Lawlor, Amos, John, Watters.

REFEREE: Brett Huxtable (Devon)

ATTENDANCE: 6,834 (351 away)