James Coppinger gave Rovers a 13th minute lead with a smart finish.
However, the home side, who came into the game on the back of five straight defeats, fought back to win it with goals either side of half time from Luke McCormick.
Doncaster have lost nine of their last 14 games and are now five points adrift of the play-off positions.
RECAP the game below.
LIVE: Bristol Rovers 2 Doncaster Rovers 1
Last updated: Monday, 05 April, 2021, 17:01
MATCH DETAILS
GOALS: Coppinger (14), McCormick (37, 56)
B ROVERS: Jaakkola; Williams, Baldwin, Harries; Walker (Ayunga 57), Upson, Martinez, Leahy; Westbrooke, McCormick; Hanlan. Subs: Day, Little, Daly, Hare, Tutonda, Oztumer.
D ROVERS: Balcombe; Horton (Greaves 82), Anderson, John, James; Smith (Gomes 82); Okenabirhie, Richards (Bostock 68), Coppinger (Simoes 68), Lokilo; Bogle. Subs: Jones, Amos, Robertson.
REF: Anthony Coggins.
5pm An awful, awful defeat
A bright start, then a battle, then a whimper - and it all adds up to a very poor defeat for Doncaster Rovers.
They needed fight this afternoon and all they got was huff and puff.
This one is going to take some getting over. Very disappointing.
75min Off the line
Ellery Balcombe keeps out a powerful Jack Baldwin header on the line but gets a kick in the face from Omar Bogle for his trouble.
74min Awkward save
Ellery Balcombe pushes away a shot from the corner of the box in real awkward fashion. The ball bounced in front of him but he also looked to have been unsighted