Darren Moore hails 'perfect' James Coppinger after late heroics earn draw with Hull City

On a day when Rovers wore a kit designed by their record appearance maker, Coppinger curled in a brilliant free kick deep into stoppage time to earn a 3-3 draw as they fought back from 3-1 down with an excellent second half performance.

And Moore paid tribute to the 40-year-old for his efforts off the bench.

"For the day, the occasion, the player, the moment and the well-struck free kick, it was so fitting for it to have been James Coppinger who scored that," Moore said.

"I've said to him downstairs, I’m absolutely delighted for them. If there was ever a man for the occasion, it was him.

"He didn't let the moment overawe him, he kept his composure, he kept his calm and he struck the free kick so well to secure a great point for us.

"It's a moment that fans will have seen online and it will have been gut-wrenching for them not to be here.

"He's still got a lot of football to play. We had a chat on the morning of the game and he's as hungry as anything. There's more still to come this season.

"If we needed someone of class and brilliance for the ball to drop to in the last few minutes, he was the perfect man for it to get on the pitch and we're thankful that it played out that way."

Moore was delighted with the draw and felt it was just reward for his side’s second half performance.

“Hull dropped off into two banks of four in a mid block and allowed us to build through the pitch,” he said.

“I wanted to get another footballer on the pitch in John Bostock and he was able to orchestrate a lot from a central position.

“We got another goal back in the game through Omar [Bogle] and it was teed up for a grandstand finish which we got.

“We said at half time that we’ve been in this position before and we’ve shown the character we needed to get back in the game.”

*

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.