Rovers denied three points as County hang on for a draw.
Rovers- 0
Notts County- 0
Tuesday 20th January, 2015
Keepmoat Stadium
Sky bet League One
Doncaster Rovers were held to a goalless draw at the Keepmoat Stadium as Notts County clung on for a point to deny Paul Dickov’s men a second straight home win.
Rovers dominated for much of the match, bossing the possession, but couldn’t make a breakthrough, in a game that saw Notts County’s Kwame Thomas shown a second yellow card for walking from the field of play too slowly when being substituted.
After a bright start the first real chance for Rovers came inside 15 minutes, Harry Forrester who impressed early on drove the ball forwards before playing Theo Robinson through on goal, however with the ball bobbling on the surface, the striker could only fire over.
The visitors however almost took the lead through Alan Smith, he hit a 25 yard thunderbolt which cannoned off the crossbar, with the rebound hitting Stephen Bywater and luckily for Rovers going wide.
Two minutes after Smith’s chance Rovers had a great chance to take the lead, Kyle Bennett’s cross found James Coppinger unmarked, but he was unable to guide his header inside of the left post.
Kwame Thomas went close from the edge of the box for Notts County, his shot on the turn went just wide of Stephen Bywater’s goal.
On the stroke of half time Rovers had another great chance, Nathan Tyson was played through on goal and a hesitant Roy Carroll slide tackled the forward in the area, the ball then fell to Coppinger who appeared to be brought down by the goalkeeper, however referee Richard Clark turned down the protests and blew to end the proceedings for the first period.
Half Time: Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Notts County
After the break Rovers continued to press forward and Bennett played Tyson through one on one with Carroll, the striker then rounded the goalkeeper and from a wide position dinked and effort at goal, but he was denied by a goal-line clearance from Hayden Mullins.
The impressive Forrester whose driving runs troubled Notts County all night managed to reach the by-line for Rovers, he tried to tee up the three Rovers men in the middle, but neither Tyson, Robinson or Paul Keegan could get on the end of the chance.
Rovers once again went close from a set piece in the 77th minute, Luke McCullough headed Bennett’s free-kick just over the crossbar.
Substitute Curtis Main then had a brilliant chance to end his goal drought, Forrester superbly cut inside before firing low towards the bottom left corner, but he was denied by the veteran Carroll, the rebound fell to Main, but he couldn’t beat the former Manchester United stopper.
Main then had another great chance to win it for Rovers in the 80th minute, Bennett played him through brilliantly, but the striker didn’t get enough power behind his shot to beat Carroll.
Rovers had another penalty appeal turned down when Andy Butler’s strike on goal appeared to hit the arm of substitute Mustapha Dumbuya, however Dickov’s side were again denied a spot kick.
In a bizarre sequence of events, in the 87th minute Thomas was substituted and replaced by Billy Daniels, however after being warned for taking too long to get off the pitch, once Thomas had taken his seat in the dugout, he was shown a yellow card by the referee Clark, before the man in charge headed back to the pitch. However, Thomas had already been booked in the 64th minute for kicking the ball away and after two minutes of deliberation with the fourth official, Thomas was shown a red card and Billy Daniels who had taken his place, was also removed from the field as Shaun Derry’s side were reduced to ten men, with the manager being sent to the stands for his protests.
Rovers continued to pile on the pressure, but Notts County had Carroll to thank as he pulled off a stunning save to deny Forrester, whose lobbed effort from 20 yards was heading for the top right corner in stoppage time, as Doncaster had to settle for a point.
Full Time: Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Notts County
Team line ups-
Rovers: Bywater, Stevens (Evina 69), Wabara, Butler, McCullough, Keegan, Coppinger (c), Bennett, Forrester, Tyson (Main 72), Robinson.
Subs not used: Marosi, McCombe, Wakefield, De Val
Cautions: Keegan 71,
Notts County: Carroll, Adams, Smith, Mullins, Hollis, Hayhurst, G Thompson, Thomas, Jones (Bajner 61), C Thompson, White (Dumbuya 63).
Subs not used: Murray, Daniels, Cranston, Pilkington, Santon
Cautions: White 55, Thomas 64, Mullins 77
Sent Off: Thomas 88.
Attendance- 5,554