REPORT
Heartbreak for Rovers as Peterborough score a 93rd minute winner after a dominant performance from the home side.
Attendance: 7,884 (1443)
Cautions: Zakuani 53’, Coulthirst 66’, Oztumer 70'
Unused Subs: Tyler, Gillett, Nichols, Angol
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Zakuani (Fox 60’), Taylor (Coulthirst 64’), Bostwick (c), Oztumer (Samuelson 71’), Maddison, Almedia Santos, Beautyman, Forrester, Williams
Unused Subs: Jones, MacKenzie, Mandeville, Chaplow, Keegan
Rovers: Stuckmann, Alcock, Butler, Taylor-Sinclair, Evina, Middleton (Rowe 45’), McCullough, Stewart (Calder 89’), Coppinger©, Tyson, Williams
Team Lineups-
FULL TIME: Rovers 1-2 Posh
Completely against the run of play Peterborough scored a winner in stoppage time. A high cross lingered in the air and as Stuckmann attempted to punch clear Santos found himself there to tap home and seal an undeserved victory for the Posh.
As we entered the final ten minutes of the game Tyson again forced Alnwick to make a great save. Breaking through the defence he found himself one on one with the Post goalkeeper but as the angle was against him, Alnwick made a good save with his feet.
Williams then went agonisingly close as he charged into the box to get on the end of a McCullough cross and despite hitting his header with real power, it was just over the bar.
Shortly after Nathan Tyson broke brilliantly beating his defender, carrying the ball 50 yards he eventually crossed for Stewart whose header was cleared off the line.
It was all Rovers as they had a string of attacks. Fine work by Taylor-Sinclair down the right saw him put a great ball into the box but no one was able to get a final touch.
The second half saw the introduction of new man Tommy Rowe as Darren Ferguson looked for the three points. The game really livened up and as Rovers started well, Peterborough looked to be on the back foot consistently fouling the home side at every opportunity.
HALF TIME: Rovers 1-1 Posh
On the stroke of half time however Peterborough finally found a way through. As a dangerous ball was played across the box it fell to Aaron Williams who easily tapped home from three yards.
The Posh continued to pressure but Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Andy Butler were both excellent in defence stopping them at every opportunity.
The visitors grew into the game and enjoyed a short spell of pressure. Harry Beautyman had a great chance to draw level as he had a free header inside the six yard box but his effort went over Stuckmann’s crossbar.
The goal seemed to give Rovers confidence and they continued to pressure the Posh defence. Williams had a penalty appeal turned down as he broke into the box and looked to be pushed but perhaps the Rovers striker went down a little too easily.
Just five minutes into the game the Keepmoat erupted as captain James Coppinger gave the home side the lead. Fantastic work from Andy Williams saw him beat his defender for strength and break into the box. Squaring the ball across the six yard box Coppinger was there to tap in and give Rovers the lead.
A number of changes were made by Darren Ferguson since last weeend’s defeat to Bradford. Cameron Stewart and James Coppinger came back into the side while new signing from Wolves Tommy Rowe took a spot on the bench.
Though Rovers manager Darren Ferguson presided over more than 350 games while in charge of the Posh, he knew he would get few favours from his former club.
The hosts were hoping to avoid the 4-0 rout that the Posh inflicted upon them at London Road in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Doncaster Rovers welcomed Peterborough United to Keepmoat Stadium as their battle to stay in the third tier intensifies.
SkyBet League One
Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
Saturday 19th March, 2016
Posh- 2 (Williams 44’, Santos 90')
Rovers - 1 (Coppinger 5’)