Saturday 5th March 2016 (3pm), Sky Bet League One, Keepmoat Stadium.
Doncaster Rovers could complete their first double of the campaign when they entertain Shrewsbury Town in a potential “six pointer” at Keepmoat Stadium.Darren Ferguson’s men defeated the Shrews 2-1 at Greenhous Meadow back in October; however both teams now find themselves with a fight on their hands to avoid being dragged in to the relegation zone.
Ferguson has had no qualms in labelling the clash with the Shrews as “must win” and it’s easy to see why with no victory coming since the turn of the year; or December 12th at home.
Rovers’ latest outing saw them swept aside 2-0 at the hands of Swindon Town at the County Ground on Tuesday, thanks to Jon Obika’s double.
The South Yorkshire side had previously been reasonably good on the road; epitomised by that 2-1 victory in Shropshire in Ferguson’s first game in charge.
James Coppinger had flicked the visitors in to the lead inside the opening fifteen minutes before Rovers were pegged back by Nat Knight-Percival’s thumping header close to the half hour mark.
Crystal Palace loanee Keshi Anderson gave a glimpse of the rollercoaster ride that would unfold under the Scot when he emphatically home in the 87th minute to register Rovers’ fourth straight win against the Salop.
Rovers have the upper hand historically against the Shrews, registering four league wins on home turf, while Micky Mellon’s club have not won here since 1993.
TEAM NEWS: New loan signing Riccardo Calder could debut. Paul Keegan (dead leg) is making a late push for a return to the side while Richard Chaplow (suspended) and James Coppinger will be absent.
Attendance – 4735
Greenhous Meadow
Sky Bet League One
DRFC – 2 (Coppinger, 14; Anderson, 87)
STFC – 1 (Knight-Percival, 27)
Last time out (Tues 20th October 2015)
STFC - Leutwiler, Tootle, Black (Clark 63’), Lawrence (c), Kaikai, Brown, Ogogo, Knight-Percival, Akpa Akpro (Barnett 72’), Cole, Smith
DRFC - Stuckmann, Lund, MacKenzie (McCullough 72’), Butler, Evina, Coppinger (c), Chaplow (Middleton 63’), Wellens, Stewart, Anderson, Tyson (Williams 90')
Head to head (league results in Doncaster):
Rovers – 4
Shrews – 2
Draws – 2
WHAT ARE THE ODDS? Rovers – 5/4; Draw – 12/5; Shrews – 5/2.
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