It’s another clash against a team from over the Pennines this weekend as Wigan Athletic make the trip over to the Keepmoat.
This will be the 30th meeting between the sides and the first in the second tier of English football in Doncaster.
Back in 2002 Rovers made the trip over to Lancashire in the LDV Vans trophy, with the hosts flying high in the Second Division and Rovers in the Conference many would have expected the home side to progress into the next round.
Wigan went into the game on the back of a fantastic run which has seen them go undefeated for 17 games, with Rovers looking to get back to their own run of good results which had seen them lose just one game in their last nine.
The visitors belied their position in the Football League ladder to take the game to the hosts, pressuring them into mistakes and any neutrals at the game could have been forgiven for thinking that is was Rovers who were the home side as well as the team from Division Two.
Wigan were continually frustrated as the back four from South Yorkshire limited them to efforts from long range, none of which were to really test Andy Warringon in a first half whih was a real war of attrition for the home side against the energetic Rovers outfit and the teams went in at the break with the game scoreless.
As the second half wore on there was a sense that the visiting side could take the spoils and after 20 or so minutes the chance was presented to Rovers and they weren’t to need a second chance.
Gareth Owen curled in a pinpoint free kick from out on the flank for Mark Albrighton to leap and flick the ball past the Wigan veteran goalkeeper Dave Beasant who was making his debut after joining from Bradford.
Much like the first half, the home side were clutching at straws in terms of chances created with only Nathan Ellington managing to get the ball past Warrington, but his thunderous 25 yard effort crashed off the bar before bouncing to safety. Had it hit the back of the net it would have been rough on Rovers who were more than worthy of their lead and deservedly took victory on a memorable night at the JJB Stadium.
Wigan Stats (H)
Rovers go into the game unbeaten in their last four games against The Latics on home soil, in fact all the aforementioned quartet of games have resulted in vitory for the home side.
None of them were more memorable than the 5-3 victory in 1994 when a brace each from Gary Brabin and Steve Harper as well as a strike from David Roche saw off the opposition at Belle Vue who scored through Ian Benjamin and Mark Leonard (2)
Rovers average over two goals per game at home against Wigan with the visitors not quite making a two goal average in games played in South Yorkshire.
The two sides have met in Jaunary twice over the course of history with the away side being the victor at each other’s ground. Wigan taking three points in 1988 at Belle Vue while Rovers won at Springfield Park in five years earlier in 1983 by virtue of three goals to nil.
Sky Bet
Football League Sponsors Sky Bet have Wigan Athletic as favourites for Saturday's clash at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Doncaster Rovers 7/2
Draw 11/4
Wigan Athletic 8/11
To open an account with Sky Bet CLICK HERE
* Odds subject to change, correct as of 16/01/14
Coverage
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