Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers 2

(Rowe 18, Marquis)

Carlisle United 2

(S Miller 15, Ibehre)

Tuesday September 27

Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster

Sky Bet League Two

Rovers were pegged back and had to settle for a point against Carlisle. The Cumbrians took an early lead through Shaun Miller, but Rovers lead at the break.

Tommy Rowe's neat finish levelled the scores before John Marquis put them ahead, but Jabo Ibehre's bullet header after the beak ensured it finished all level .

Darren Ferguson made one change, with Riccardo Calder coming into the starting XI, with Matty Blair going to right-back and Frazer Richardson dropping to the bench.

Rovers started confidently, as the home team, but Carlisle's Shaun Miller had the best two early opportunities. First he fired over the bar, the second time he was closed down well by Marko Marosi and turned away for a corner.

Marosi had no chance after 15 minutes, though, when Nicky Adams' shot deflected off Shaun Miller and went in to a bottom corner as he could only stand and watch.

The visitors' lead only lasted three minutes with Rowe cooly slotting past Mark Gillespie after a smart move through the middle.

John Marquis almost put Rovers ahead shortly afterwards with a fizzing low cross from James Coppinger which seemed to bounce awkwardly just in front of him.

And Coppinger himself went close as the match closed to the half-hour mark with another low effort, this time it went just wide.

Carlisle were still a threat, though, with a powerful Adams shot after the break when the ball fell to him from a Macauley Gillesphey free-kick.

Coppinger went close after 32 minutes when he took down a cross from Calder just inside the area, but his low shot went just wide at the far post.

Carlisle really should have taken the lead when Marosi coudn't hold a long-range effort from Tom Miller. The ball fell nicely for Shaun Miller, but his effort went over.

Williams thought he had put Rovers ahead when he broke free down the right, his first effort was saved by Gillespie then when the ball came back to him he smacked it against the crossbar.

But there was still time for Rovers to snatch the lead before the break. John Marquis did the damage with a long-range shot. He took time to compose himself before firing in a strong low left-footed shot.

HALF-TIME: Rovers 2 Carlisle 1

Neither side made any changes at the break, but the second-half started quickly.

Rovers had a great chance to extend their lead when Andy Butler was fouled by Tom Miller in the area, resulting in a penalty.

Rowe, whose confidence was high after his goal, stood up to take the spot-kick but saw his low effort come back off the left-hand post.

The second period was a far more even affair, with Rowe and Marquis going close for Rovers.

Marosi had to be alert after 62 minutes to keep out a good Michael Raynes header, getting down quickly to his bottom left post.

Cumbrians boss Keith Curle had used all three of his subs by the 70 minute mark as he looked to get back into the game, with Jabo Ibehre, Charlie Wyke and Reggie Lambe. 

Rovers made their first change after 73 minutes, with Richardson coming off the bench in place of Calder.

Rovers had to dig in as the visitors pushed to equalise. Raynes continued to look a real danger and went close. Luke Joyce also threatened with a powerful volley after a corner was only half cleared, with it well closed down.

Carlisle got the goal they had been threatening with 10 minutes to go when Ibehre struck with a good header after Danny Grainger and Adams had linked up on the left.

Both sides pushed for a winner, with Rowe going close for Rovers after 85 minutes with an overhead kick which went wide after a corner was not fully cleared.

Stoppage-time saw Rovers defend deep as Carlisle pushed for a winner, with Marquis booked for handball after his attempts to close down a cross.

FULL-TIME: Rovers 2 Carlisle 2

ROVERS | Marosi, Evina, Butler, Wright, Blair, Houghton, Rowe, Calder (Richardson), Coppinger, Marquis, Williams (Mandeville). ROVERS SUBS | Etheridge,  Baudry , Beestin, Garratt. BOOKED | Marquis

CARLISLE XI | Gillespie, Grainger, Joyce, Raynes, Kennedy, Jones, Adams, Gillesphey, Devitt (Ibehre), S Miller (Wyke), T  Miller (Lambe). CARLISLE SUBS | Ellis, Brisley, McKee, Crocombe. BOOKED | Grainger

ATTENDANCE | 4,773 (439 away)