Darren Moore proud of Doncaster Rovers' FA Cup triumph after difficult build-up

The Rovers squad were forced into isolation for ten days after five of their number tested positive for Covid-19 over the festive period.

And the players gradually returned to training this week, giving them a maximum of three days to prepare for the trip to Ewood Park.

Yet they turned in an excellent performance to triumph 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Taylor Richards.

“I am proud of them because we had two or three days to work,” Moore said.

“We took a look at Blackburn and the damage they are doing here in the Championship. We knew we’d be up against a good quality opposition with the players they’ve got.

“We knew we had to put in a performance like we did to come away with a result.

“It was a really close game and we just shaded it.

“The defenders’ concentration was spot on.”

The likes of Jon Taylor and Matt Smith joined captain Ben Whiteman in being absent from the game and Moore admitted he knew early in the week that he would be without key personnel for the third round tie.

“I knew from Thursday that some players would not be available so we worked with the system and the players that we’d got,” Moore said.

“I thought they did superbly with what we had available.

“You saw with the bench that we couldn’t even fill it because we just didn’t have the bodies available.

“We went with what we had to and so I’m pleased with the group in terms of how they responded.

In Whiteman’s absence, Brad Halliday switched to a holding midfield role and was excellent.

“Again he’s one of the versatile players who showed he can play in the different positions,” Moore said.

“I’ll continue to wheel and deal in regards to the players and the roles they can play.

“It’s something we looked at and Brad can do it. In that role, on that pitch and in the type of game it was, he did a superb job for us.”

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