'Constant threat', 'Capable of better' : Doncaster Rovers player ratings against AFC Wimbledon

Doncaster Rovers sank to the bottom of the League One table after suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat in the capital against AFC Wimbledon.

Grant McCann made four changes to the side that were beaten 3-2 at home to Plymouth Argyle in the last league game. James Husband, Matty Pearson were given their first full starts of the league campaign after featuring against Huddersfield Town in midweek, while there was also a first Football League start for summer signing Leon Ayinde, who was on the scoresheet in midweek. George Broadbent also came into the midfield with the likes of Sean Grehan, Jay McGrath, Isaac Hutchinson and Tommi O’Reilly all dropping to the bench.

Doncaster Rovers dominated the first-half and played some of the best football we’ve seen from them in the first 45 minutes - going close with a series of efforts at goal with the likes of Alfie May, Brandon Hanlan and Jack Senior all calling the former Rovers goalkeeper Josef Bursik into action.

However, it was the hosts that took the lead on the stroke of half-time with the first real moment of quality in the contest with Myles Hippolyte opening the scoring after 43 minutes with a brilliant free-kick.

The second half proved to be a much more even affair with both sides having key opportunities to score. The Rovers boss made a series of changes to try and impact the game. The likes of Bayley McCann, Isaac Hutchinson and Jordan Thomas were among those to be introduced with the latter missing a gilt-edged opportunity from close distance. But it simply wasn’t to be for Rovers, who are still chasing their first league win of the campaign.

Here’s how we rated the Doncaster Rovers players that Grant McCann selected in the capital.

Doncaster Rovers player ratings

GK: Tommy Simkin: 6: Was booked harshly for trying to take a quick free-kick. Alert off his line when called upon. Was beaten by an excellent free-kick but otherwise had a decent game.

CB: James Husband - 6: The experienced defender, filling in at centre-back, made his first league start for Rovers since the final day of the 2013/14 campaign. He had a few nervy moments early in the game but grew in confidence. His leadership skills will be vital in the weeks and months to come.

CB: Matty Pearson - N/A: The experienced defender was taken off after just five minutes with an injury. Grant McCann will hope it isn’t too serious as the defender had only just returned from to the team.

CB: Neill Byrne: 6: Held his own against Wimbledon frontman Jayden Stockley. Calm in possession.

LM: Jack Senior: 7: The former Halifax Town man was a constant threat going forward. He had a few decent efforts at goal and worked really hard at both ends of the pitch.

CM: George Broadbent: 6 - Pretty steady in possession. Put a decent shift in. Was taken off after an hour for Isaac Hutchinson.

CM: Owen Bailey: 6: Making his 144th consecutive league start, the skipper thought he had a goal in the first-half only to see it get ruled out for a foul. He was also booked for appealing for a penalty.

CM: Robbie Gotts: 6: Conceded the free-kick that led to Wimbledon’s opener. Otherwise had a decent enough game.

RM: Leon Ayinde: 6: Making his first ever Football League start, the former Ipswich Town man showed glimpses of his potential in the first-half. Faded slightly in the second.

ST: Alfie May: 5: The 33-year-old worked hard throughout the match but wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet despite having a few opportunities. He’s capable of better.

ST: Brandon Hanlan: 6: Was a handful at times for the Wimbledon backline. Produced some good moments of skill, held up the ball fairly well.

Substitutes

Sean Grehan: 6: The young defender was called into action early in the contest after Pearson’s injury. Settled into the game fairly well.

Isaac Hutchinson: 6: Introduced as a second-half substitute to try and change the game. Had a great effort at goal with a free-kick just seconds after coming on.

Bayley McCann: 6: Put in a few decent crosses and showed a willingess to run at his man.

Jordan Thomas: 5: Missed a golden opportunity to level the scoreline in the second half.