Rovers fell to defeat at Home Park
Plymouth Argyle 2
(Carey 33, Jervis 63pen)
Doncaster Rovers 0
Saturday, December 10
Home Park
Sky Bet League Two
Rovers named the same side that beat Stevenage last Saturday, while Plymouth made two changes with Ryan Donaldson and Jordan Slew coming into the XI.
The match started at a real pace, despite the pouting rain, with Marko Marosi having to get down quickly to intercept a cross and Tommy Rowe firing straight at Luke McCormick before the opening minute was out.
Rovers enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening period, but Argyle were the next to go close as Graham Carey headed wide from a corner with eight minutes on the clock.
Rovers bossed the early possession, enjoying particular success down the wings. They struggled to create clear chances, though, with the best coming through a James Coppinger cross from the right which was intercepted by a home defender and spooned away for a corner when it could have gone anywhere.
Coppinger again caused danger with a deep free-kick to the far post which resulted in a bit of a scramble in the area. Craig Alcock was the closest to getting a shot away.
The game opened up as it reached the half hour mark and Argyle forced a succession of corners, with Andy Butler then John Marquis both getting in key blocks.
Argyle took the lead after 33 minutes. Carey intercepted a pass then broke clear and slotted the ball past Marosi into the bottom left corner.
Rovers had two chances for an immediate reply, with McCormick pulling off great saves to deny Alcock then Butler - though the flag was up for the latter with the centre-back offside.
Matty Blair needed a bit of treatment at the end of the half as he got clattered into a post while winning a header - his effort went wide - but he was quickly ok to continue.
And Marquis almost snatched an equaliser, as he chased downn home keeper McCormick - the Argyle man just got his clearance away in time.
HALF-TIME: Argyle 1 Rovers 0
There were no changes from either side at the break, with the second half following the same pattern as the first.
Rovers enjoyed plenty of possession, but struggled to convert that into clear chances. Nial Mason caused some consternation with a cross from the left and the clearance was sliced, but it boucned away to safety.
Argyle made it 2-0 after 63 minutes when Butler was judged to have fouled Ryan Donaldson in the area. Jake Jervis stepped up and smashed the ball home via the underside of the crossbar.
Ferguson made an instance change, bringing Andy Williams off the bench in place of Mason.
Riccardo Calder also entered the fray with 20 minutes left, replacing Butler.
Chances were still hard to come bay, with Marquis slipping just as a ball from Tommy Rowe made its way to him.
Marosi had to to race out from goal after 73 minutes when Jordan Slew latched onto a long ball down the left. Marosi was out quickly to close the angle, made himself big, and there was no way past.
Marquis headed towards goal from a Coppinger cross, and Rovers were gifted a chance to level with a minute to go when Blair was fouled in the area.
Mandeville stepped up to take the set-piece, but his low effort clipped the outside of the right-hand post before rolling to safety.
The penalty was followed by both sets of players clashing, with the referee sending off Coppinger as a result.
FULL-TIME: Argyle 2 Rovers 0
ROVERS | Marosi, Mason (Eilliams), Alcock, Butler, Baudry, Rowe, Blair, Houghton, Coppinger (c), Marquis, Mandeville. ROVERS SUBS | Jones, Wright, Keegan, Beestin, Calder, Middleton. SENT OFF | Coppinger
ARGYLE XI | McCormick, Miller, Songo'o, Smith, Slew, Carey, Donaldson, Jervis, Bradley, Threlkeld, Fox. ARGYLE SUBS | Goodwillie, Osborne, Rooney, Dorel, Tanner, Palfrey, Fletcher.
ATTENDANCE | 8,575 (385 away)