Heroic goalkeeping from Ben Alnwick ensured Rovers good home run came to an end at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Rovers - 0
Peterborough - 2 (James 15’, Washington 88')
Saturday 14th March, 2015
Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
Sky Bet League One
Kick off 3.00pm
With both teams level on points in Sky Bet League One the fixture was labelled a ‘six pointer’.
Since Darren Ferguson’s departure from the Posh, Academy Manager Dave Robertson has come into post and won three from three.
Paul Dickov surprised a few people with his team selection as new signing Jonson Clarke-Harris went straight into the starting lineup to make his debut for the club.
It was a scrappy start to the game for both sides who gave away possession cheaply.
The Posh looked a threat down the right hand side and on 15 minutes got the breakthrough and took the lead through striker Luke James.
Jon Taylor found himself in space down the right and played a delightful ball in to the box which was met by the diving header of James. Stephen Bywater had no chance, a great finish.
Rovers had a great chance to draw level as Curtis Main put Nathan Tyson through one on one. On his weaker side, Tyson tried to poke it home with his left foot but Ben Alnwick was quick off his line to make a great save and deny the Rovers front man.
Every Rovers fan in the ground was appealing for a penalty seconds later as Jonson Clarke-Harris was shoved to the ground by the defender. Much to the disbelief of everyone, nothing was given.
Harry Forrester forced Alnwick to make a good save as he cut inside from the left and released a shot towards the top corner.
Minutes later Alnwick was called into action again as Richie Wellens set up Main on the edge of the area but the strikers shot was smartly saved by the Posh stopper.
Everyone in the ground thought Forrester had equalised when a delightful chip towards the back post was cleared off the line for a corner.
The resulting corner saw Enda Stevens set up Tyson in the area who was sure he’d scored but somehow Alnwick got his fingertips to it.
On the stroke of half time the visitors came close to doubling their lead as Joe Newell picked up the ball and struck a shot from range towards the bottom corner but Bywater made an excellent save to deny him.
HALF TIME SCORE: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Peterborough United
Rovers came out in the second half and enjoyed the majority of possession but failed to test Alnwick as the final ball was just lacking.
It was scrappy from both sides, Reece Wabara and substitute Kyle Bennett looked a threat down the right but the visitors were holding on.
New signing Jonson Clarke-Harris showed his potential with some great skill down the left flank but it came to nothing for Rovers who struggled to test Alnwick in this second half.
Kyle Bennett came close to equalising as he released a blistering shot with the outside of his boot that swerved inches over the crossbar. Rovers best chance of the game so far.
With minutes to go, Wellens played a great ball down to Robinson who won a corner for the home side.
The resulting corner fell to Clarke-Harris who showed great skill in the area, and was almost brought down for a penalty, before setting up Main to shoot. Heading for the bottom corner, Alnwick somehow got his fingertips to it and saved onto the post.
With Rovers throwing men forward, the visitors broke down the other end outnumbered the home side. Kyle Vassell fed the ball to Conor Washington who had the very simple job of finishing past Bywater.
There was no way back for Rovers and the referee blew for full time as Rovers dropped to tenth in the league table.
FULL TIME SCORE: Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Peterborough United
Team Lineups -
Rovers: Bywater, Stevens, Wabara, Butler (c), McCullough, Wellens, Furman (Razak 82’), Forrester (Bennett 66’), Clarke-Harris, Tyson (Robinson 74’), Main
Unused Subs: Marosi, McCombe, Evina, Middleton
Cautions: Stevens 38’
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Ntlhe (Brisley 91’), Santos, Zakuani, Payne (c), Newell (H.Anderson 76’), Bostwick, Taylor, James (Vassell 86’), Washington
Unused Subs: Henry, Brisley, Oztumer, Beautyman, Norris
Cautions: Payne 31’ , Ntlhe 52’ , Washington 53’ , Bostwick 74'
Attendance: 11,520
Away:2,329