Nightmare before Christmas - Doncaster Rovers report + ratings from horror Plymouth Argyle defeat

Grant McCann's side suffered their very own nightmare before Christmas as lowly Argyle ran riot in DN4. The result means it is now just one win in their last 14 league games.

Rovers showed three changes from the defeat down at Cardiff and as well as alterations in personnel there was also a switch back to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 set-up.

And they started like a house on fire when Brandon Hanlan fired home first-time after being picked out centrally by Luke Molyneux. The move began after some quick thinking from George Broadbent saw him ping a free-kick up the field to excellently pick out the winger.

Sadly, that joy didn't last long. Plymouth were level within minutes when Lorent Tolaj scored after Jay McGrath's poor pass to Broadbent saw him get his pocket picked by Owen Oseni.

The visitors then turned the game on its head when Oseni found the bottom corner after Rovers defenders just stood off him. And the fury from the home stands exacerbated when Tolaj sprinted unchallenged through the centre of the pitch and slotted home a third midway through the half. Tolaj could and should have added to his personal tally but wayward shooting and Lo-Tutala ensured he didn't before the break.

Rovers rallied after half-time with a change in shape but ultimately they failed to test Conor Hazard in the Pilgrims' goal. Argyle were a threat every time they ventured forward and Tolaj rubbed salt in the wounds with a penalty - awarded after Lo-Tutala brought down the lively Oseni in the box.

That prompted a mass exodus among the home stands although those who stayed to the end will have seen it get even worse: substitute Xavier Amaechi lashing home after more dire defending from the hosts.

Here's how we rated the Rovers players this afternoon:

Thimothee Lo-Tutala 3

No blame attached for the first half goals. Rushed out well to deny Tolaj a hat-trick just before half-time but then conceded the penalty for the killer fourth.

Jamie Sterry 3

Torrid afternoon up against Plymouth's lively left flank. Slightly better going forward, especially in reshuffle second half.

Sean Grehan 3

Played his part in a shoddy section of the game first half where defence were all at sea. Some worrying moments. Hooked on the hour.

Jay McGrath 3

Slack pass to Broadbent played its part in cheap Plymouth equaliser. Far too many punts upfield that landed straight out of play or at the feet of an opposition player.

James Maxwell 3

Another who endured a bad day at the office. Chipped in with most tackles of any player. Went off as part of a double sub on the hour.

Owen Bailey 4

Skipper couldn't get things going. Lethargic and some shoddy passes that gave up possession. Picked up a card for a heated clash with Ralls second half.

George Broadbent 4

Superb bit of quick-thinking to pick out Molyneux in the build-up to the opener. But caught off-guard when his pocket was picked for Tolaj's leveller. Recovered a little thereafter before going off late on.

Harry Clifton 4

Bandaged up early doors after sustaining a head knock. Carried on but ineffective. Hooked at half-time.

Jordan Gibson 6

One of the livelier performances by a player in red-and-white, albeit that wasn’t saying much.

Brandon Hanlan 5

Excellent finish to open the scoring. Some unjust decisions seemed to go against him as he ploughed on but to not much avail.

Luke Molyneux 5

Some hits, some misses. Tried his hardest to fashion openings, even when the game was long out of sight.

Substitutes:

Matty Pearson (For Clifton) 4

On at half-time to add a bit of leadership at the back.

Billy Sharp (For Grehan) 4

Tame shot straight at Hazard but the game was long done by then.

Jack Senior (For Maxwell) 4

Made inroads down the left flank.

Ben Close (For Broadbent) N/A

Tried his luck with a long-range attempt that Hazard did well to repel.

Subs not used: Lawlor, Gotts, Middleton.