Midweek Takeaway: Doncaster Rovers slump after failing to find the answers to challenges placed by Plymouth Argyle

Put the defeat at Plymouth Argyle down in that category for Doncaster Rovers.

A team that has produced wonderfully crisp, coherent and threatening attacking play looked toothless and, at times, clueless in an awful first half that ensured this game was condemned to the status of their worst performance of the season to date.

And then there was the defensive aspect. A side that has been incredibly rock solid showed worrying vulnerability, particularly for the two exceptionally poor goals they conceded.

They were given the runaround by a lively Plymouth side, driven forward by the superb Danny Mayor, and struggled to track runners from deep.

That, coupled with an inability to play the ball out in the first half, kept them firmly on the back foot throughout the opening period. And even though they were only a goal behind at the break - after Luke Jephcott ghosted in to finish Mayor’s cut back - it felt as though they had a mountain to climb.

Plymouth did a very good job in cutting off the supply from Josef Bursik, which in turn forced Ben Whiteman and Matt Smith - the sole bright point for Rovers during the first half - very deep and ensured the task of linking the back with the front was a soul destroying exercise.

Their inability to solve the problem on the pitch was concerning - and harked back to similar issues at this stage of last season.

Rovers did improve in the second half, saw more of the ball in advanced areas and began to use it better.

The introduction of Josh Sims off the bench helped, with his lively play and pace proving a welcome addition.

And even before Joe Edwards arrived at the back post onto a ball that had bypassed the entire Rovers and scored, the visitors should have been level with Joe Wright and Fejiri Okenabirhie missing glorious opportunities.

Okenabirhie would get on the scoresheet after a piece of quick thinking from Whiteman but there was never the feeling that Rovers would find the equaliser.

This was a tough night after a long journey south and has provided plenty for Darren Moore to ponder.

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