Cambridge United 1 (Berry 23)
Doncaster Rovers 3 (Grant 46 & 57, Lund 56)
Sunday 6th December 2015
Abbey Stadium
Emirates FA Cup R2
Grant’s double delight for Rovers.
A second half brace from on loan midfielder Conor Grant helped see Rovers progress into the Emirates FA Cup Third round.
The visitors came into the contest with just one defeat in six matches, and hoped to extend that run. Right back Mitchell Lund was the only change in Darren Ferguson’s side, following injury to Felipe Mattioni.
It was the away side who had the first chance, when Andy Williams got in behind the backline but his tame effort was comfortable for goalkeeper Sam Beasant.
That was the closest Rovers came to creating an opening in the first 45 minutes, other than an in swinging corner from Grant which almost caught everyone out, before hitting the post.
United had plenty of chances, first Luke Berry found himself on the end of a cross but his effort hit the side netting. Soon after a mix up at the back for Rovers, Berry won a penalty after Aaron Taylor-Sinclair brought him down but was spared even a token booking.
The penalty was saved by Thortsten Stuckmann, before being followed up by a stooping Berry who headed his side in to a deserved lead.
Half time – Cambridge 1-0 Doncaster
Ferguson made a change at half time and introduced Cameron Stewart in place of Nathan Tyson.
It took the away side just seconds after the restart to level the match when Mitchell Lund did brilliantly down the right hand side before picking out Grant who placed his swerving effort into the back of the net from the edge of the area, though Beasant should have done better.
The match opened up after Rovers equaliser, which played straight into the away sides hand, and Lund gave Rovers the lead 9 minutes later after excellent work from substitute Stewart this time, who delivered a sublime ball across the box and the young defender was on hand to tap home his first professional goal at the back post.
Rovers doubled their lead less than a minute later; this time Grant added to his own tally with a delightful 25 yard strike that thumped the post and arrowed into the top corner.
Beasant who had barely had a save to make had picked the ball out of his net three times in 12 minutes and was on hand to deny Williams with a full length parry as the visitors looked to underline their startling recovery.
Shaun Derry’s side – on his 38th birthday - fought their way back into the match, testing Stuckmann a few times. Substitute Liam Hughes twice hit the bar in the same phase of play, after Rovers got away with not clearing a free kick.
Paul Keegan was introduced in the final quarter of the match in place of James Coppinger who had earlier been booked.
Despite a few late scares, Ferguson’s men held on to progress in to the FA Cup third round and keep alive hopes of a plum draw.
Full time: Cambridge 1-3 Doncaster
Cambridge: Beasant, Taylor, Roberts ©, Legge, Donaldson (Simpson 69), Berry, Corr, Dunk, Ledson (Hughes 78), Newton, Demetriou.
Doncaster: Stuckmann, Lund, Evina, Butler, Williams, Tyson (Stewart 45), Taylor-Sinclair, Grant, Coppinger © (Keegan 67), Middleton, Alcock.
Referee- Mark Brown
Cautions
Cambridge: Ledson 25 mins, Dunk 40 mins, Roberts 74 mins, Corr 83 mins.
Doncaster: Coppinger 25 mins,
Attendance- 3951 (672 away)