Bayley McCann’s late consolation goal was one of the bright sparks in Doncaster Rovers’ loss to Luton Town

Doncaster Rovers youngster Bayley McCann has spoken of his delight at scoring his first Football League goal, despite the disappointment of the team's 3-1 defeat at Luton Town.

McCann found the net with a looping header over James Shea in the 84th minute after combining brilliantly with fellow substitute Harry Clifton.

It marked a nice moment in the game and a slight consolation in an otherwise challenging evening at Kenilworth Road against a team that many would expect to be in the promotion picture in six months time.

Bayley McCann scored his first Doncaster Rovers goal in a 3-1 loss to Luton Town | Howard Roe

placeholder image — Bayley McCann scored his first Doncaster Rovers goal in a 3-1 loss to Luton Town | Howard Roe

“I’m really delighted, absolutely buzzing over the moon, honestly,” goalscorer McCann told the Free Press.

“The result wasn't great, but I can take my positives away from the game, which is good.”

When discussing the game as a whole, McCann, who was introduced in the 69th minute of the contest, added: “I think it was a bit both-ended, really. We had quite a good spell at the start of the game, where I think we should have gone 1-0 up from a corner, which didn't go our way, and then we got unfortunate just before half-time.

“Once again, we conceded just before the break, and it was a bit devastating, really. But I think that we impacted the game a lot later on and could have had a lot more chances.”

McCann’s goal is the latest in a series of landmarks for the youngster, who also netted his first goal for Northern Ireland at U21 level during the most recent international break.

Speaking about his season so far, the 20-year-old added: “Yeah, it's been really good. Obviously this is the start of my first season in the Football League this year, and it's been a journey so far, and hopefully it'll be another good one this year.”

McCann has made the step up two divisions after loan spells in the National League North with Peterborough Sports and Alfreton Town earlier in his career.

Reflecting on those experiences and how they’ve helped shape him, he said: “Yeah, obviously they've helped me, because you get used to men’s football.

“Playing at 21s is good as there’s lots of technical players but you never really get that aspect of people kicking you to the ground and getting dirty elbows and stuff. You just learn all that sort of stuff in the National League and lower down.”