Carlisle United are the visitors tomorrow evening as Rovers look to continue their march back to the Championship.
This fixture marks the third home game in succession, and with Rovers having already picked up maximum points in the other two, Brian Flynn’s men will be looking to complete the hat trick.
Promotion rivals Swindon Town and Tranmere Rovers have both visited Keepmoat Stadium in the past week and failed to even get so much as get a single shot on target. A similar outcome on Tuesday evening will see Brian Flynn’s men further tighten their grip on top spot.
Four games unbeaten and victory at Oldham has seen Gregg Abbott’s side move ten points clear of the drop zone going into the final four games of the season seemingly diminishing the threat of relegation.
Previous Encounter
Carlisle United were the visitors to Doncaster the last time that Rovers secured a league title. It was a day filled with joy for Rovers but it was a complete contrast for the visitors, as Rovers lifted the Division Three title in front of almost 10,000 supporters, Carlisle were reflecting on their poor season which saw them slip out of the Football League.
Pundits had predicted Rovers as favourites for relegation back to the Conference before the season had started. Dave Penney’s men were to defy all who doubted them, as they raced to promotion for the second successive season.
Rovers had clinched the title a week earlier after a goalless draw at Boston United that gave the game at Belle Vue a distinct party atmosphere, in the home areas of the ground at least. But it was the visitors who started the game the brightest and if they had brought their shooting boots with them, then Carlisle should have taken the lead as both Will McDonagh and Adam Rundle were guilty of missing the target when in good positions before Andy Preece was superbly denied by Andy Warrington.
A neutral could have argued that Rovers were looking forward to the post match celebrations a little too much as they struggled to muster a serious shot on goal in the opening half, however Dave Penney’s words in the half time team talk must have made some impression as the home side came out fighting for the second period.
Gregg Blundell made a terrific run through the heart of the Carlisle defence with just under a hour gone but found stern resistance in the shape of visiting ‘keeper Matt Glennon who did well to deny the Rovers top scorer. Blundell was continually in the thick of it as the home side pressed for the opener but unfortunately he got in the way of Adriano Rigoglioso’s goal bound effort.
It was a blistering ten minutes from Rovers who had certainly come to life and the home supporters responded too, Rigoglioso was denied by Glennon who made a top class save to keep the scores level. In the next foray forward the ideal opportunity for Rovers to open the scoring was to present itself after Peter Murphy brought down Blundell and the referee pointed to the spot. Glennon however had other ideas, as he made yet another terrific save to deny Blundell in what was a truly man of the match performance by the visiting custodian.
goal of a memorable season and start the celebrations which were to last all summer as Rovers returned to the third tier for the first time since 1998.thBlundell was not to be denied though when Fran Tierney swung over an inviting free kick; the striker nodded home to net his 20
Pre-match Interviews
Brian Flynn's pre-match Rovers Player interview
Chris Brown's pre-match Rovers Player interview
Team News
Paul Quinn will miss the game after suffering a reoccurrence of the injury that he had been suffering with.
David Syers will miss out again after a scan on his ankle revealed bruising to the bone.
Weather
Mostly cloudy with a few light showers. A brisk east to northeast wind continuing to make it feel cold.