Story of the game as Doncaster Rovers exit Carabao Cup at Stoke City

Not a bad evening at all from Doncaster Rovers.

Absentees and injuries meant an already tricky evening was going to be all the more difficult but this young overs side approached the occasion with real maturity and composure to hold their own.

They defended well, used the ball cleverly and managed to soak up pressure as well as putting the opposition on the back foot on occasion.

They’re still lacking in the final third and inside the box in particular but on the whole that was not bad at all.

It’s a 2-0 defeat for Rovers as their Carabao Cup campaign comes to an end

Ethan Harrison replaces Matt Smith and becomes the third youngest player in Rovers’ history.

Louis Jones bats away a shot from Jacob Brown

Stoke really should have extended their advantage. Substitute Mario Vrancic picked out Steven Fletcher, who squared to Jacob Brown. Everyone was expecting Brown to hit the back of the net but he pulled his shot wide.

Kyle Knoyle gives the ball away 20 yards inside the Stoke half and it is a matter of seconds before Tom Ince slams a shot into the sidenetting after a rapid counter.

And it’s a very good save from Louis Jones at point blank range as Sam Surridge finds space for a header from an excellent Alfie Doughty cross. It was offside however.

Sam Surridge doubles the advantage from close range.

A bit of a mix-up at the back left Surridge free to bring the ball down and slam in.

Not the start to the second half that Rovers wanted.