- by Tony Bluff

Neil Sullivan was presented with a memento before the game to mark his 500th career League match, which was coming up against Bristol City.

A breezy and bright afternoon saw the Rovers set the ball rolling in their match against Bristol City and after just 25seconds Gillett got a shot in from 20yards that James saved comfortably. Over the next ten minutes both teams settled down to probing for openings. In the 12th minute, Friend put Shiels away on the left. His cross to the middle was behind Sharp but he managed to get in an overhead kick that went over the bar. Five minutes later and Sharp, on the left angle of the penalty area, hit a right foot shot for the far top corner but it took a deflection for a corner. Three successive corners ensued, the third of which fell to Friend at the far post but his sidefoot was cleared off the line. In the 24th minute, Adomah beat Martis to a ball down the middle but shot tamely at Sullivan, who saved easily. The visitors were having a good spell at this stage and five minutes later, a cross by Sproule on their right was headed high and wide by Campbell-Ryce. Past the half hour and a good link-up in the opposition penalty area between Shiels and Sharp gave Sharp a snap shot from close range that was deflected for a corner. Shortly after a cracking left foot drive from Rovers loan signing, Mason, from 25yards was just wide. Successive corners followed but nothing came from them. Two minutes before the break, good work by Mason in the middle of the City half, followed by a pass inside to Shiels was hit first time just past the post. In the last minute a long free kick to the visitors was headed wide by Elliott.

Half time - Doncaster Rovers 0 Bristol City 0

The visitors got the second half underway and went straight on to the attack. A collision on the City right flank between Friend and Elliott necessitated a lengthy spell of treatment for Elliott and a free kick to the City. Thus, it was the 49th minute when the free kick was taken left footed by McAllister, who swung it over the far post for STEWART to head into the net. Two minutes later and Adomah, from the City left, hit a 25yarder high over the bar. The Rovers tried to get their game moving but it wasn't happening. Past the hour mark and, following good work by Adomah, Clarkson on the City left had a shot saved. Play was scrappy at this juncture as both sides made substitutions. The visitors were having the better of the exchanges. In the 74th minute a good move by the Rovers caused some chaos in the City penalty area before eventually coming out to Friend at the edge of the penalty area but he put his shot just over the bar. The game was meandering slowly to the close over the next ten minutes before the Rovers got a corner, which came into the penalty area and was picked up by a defender, with what appeared to be a handball but the referee wasn't having any of it. Another corner followed and was cleared out to Tom Williams on the halfway line. A two to one situation was on but he ran on and was eventually halted by O'Connor, who had got back to defend. Williams' team-mate was not happy. In the 89th minute, Coppinger cut in from the right along the byline, got into the penalty area before being hauled down by Skuse. Penalty said the officials and SHARP stepped up and coolly sent James the wrong way to grab an equaliser. The Rovers, geed up by this pressed to the end of added time but couldn't get a winner.

A good first half from the Rovers without scoring but the second half was scrappy, with many passes going astray.

Result - Doncaster Rovers 1  Bristol City 1

Teams - ROVERS - Neil Sullivan; James O'Connor, Shelton Martis, Adam Lockwood, George Friend; Dean Shiels, Brian Stock, Simon Gillett, Martin Woods; Ryan Mason, Billy Sharp

Subs used - James Coppinger for Stock 71mins; Wayne Thomas for Martis 73mins; Steve Brooker for Mason 85mins

Subs not used - Sam Hird, Mustapha Dumbuya, Waide Fairhurst, Gary Woods gk

Bristol City - David James; Nicky Hunt, Damion Stewart, Liam Fontaine, Jamie McAllister; Ivan Sproule, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Cole Skuse, Marvin Elliott, Albert Adomah; David Clarkson,

Subs used - Gavin Williams for Sproule 62mins; John Akinde for Adomah 66mins;

Subs not used - Louis Carey, Lee Johnson, Martin Jackson, Tom Williams, Dean Gerken gk

Caution - Sproule, G Williams,