Rovers were beaten in a dramatic finale at the Keepmoat Stadium which saw two penalties awarded against the home side.
Doncaster Rovers 0
Blackpool 1
(Flores 90pen)
Monday, April 17
Keepmoat Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
Rovers were beaten in a dramatic finale at the Keepmoat Stadium which saw two penalties awarded against the home side.
The first was missed by Blackpool, as Mark Cullen's effort came crashing back off the inside of a post, but the second was beyond the reach of Marko Marosi as Jordan Flores' strong effort gave thhe visitors all three points.
Rovers boss Darren Ferguson made three changes, with Alfie May, Joe Wright and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair all coming into the starting XI.
Matty Blair picked up an early booking, but the opening exchanges were quiet until Wright's half-volley stung the palms of Sam Slocombe in the visiting goal.
Slocombe had to be alert again after 22 minutes to deny Alfie May's overhead kick. A corner kick was flicked on to the far post, where May met it sweetly - but Slocombe stood firm to get a solid hand to put it behind.
Marko Marosi was the first keeper to pick the ball out of his net, though, after Brad Potts broke through and lifted the ball over him - but the assistant's flag was up to rule it out for offside.
Rovers did not let up in their intensity, with May and John Marquis seeing efforts blocked after 24 minutes.
Wright had to be alert to get a vital head on Clark Robertson's cross after 32 minutes, with Neil Danns lurking dangerously at the far post.
And Niall Mason was on hand from the resulting corner to hack the ball off his line when it could have gone anywhere.
Rovers were quickly back on the attack, with a powerful low drive from Tommy Rowe palmed behind by Slocombe who did well to get down quickly.
HALF-TIME: Rovers 0 Blackpool 0
There were no changes from either side at the break, but Jordan Flores was introduced for Jack Paine a couple of minutes after the restart after the latter suffered an injury.
Blair was sent off after five minutes of the second period after his second booking of the game, leaving Rovers having to battle with 10 men.
That prompted a tactical change from Rovers, with Harry Middleton coming off the bench in place of May.
The Seasiders almost took an immediate advantage when Delfouneso got on the end of a hopeful punt, but his header as plucked out of the air well by Marosi. Moments later the same visiting forward fired a volley well over.
Blackpool's Ian Black sent an ambitious volley from distance well over the bar, before Gary McSheffrey was brought on to replace Taylor-Sinclair.
Rovers had to wait for chances, with McSheffrey firing over after 70 minutes after finding some space down the right.
And Mathieu Baudry went close after 79 minutes when he got on the end of a McSheffrey cross, only to see his header hacked off the line by Tom Aldred.
Blackpool had the chance to claim all three points after 87 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Baudry was booked for the handball which led to the spot-kick.
Rovers escaped when Cullen's effort came crashing back off the inside of the left-hand post, but it was only a temporary reprieve.
Two minutes later the referee felt there was another foul in the area, and this time there was to be no escape.
Flores stood up to take the spot-kick, and his fierce low effort went past Marosi.
Rovers pushed for a leveller in the seven minutes of stoppage time which followed, though the closest they came to an equaliser was Marquis' hooked effort which went wide.
FULL-TIME: Rovers 0 Blackpool 1
ROVERS XI | Marosi, Blair, Alcock, Baudry, Wright, Taylor-Sinclair (McSheffrey), Mason, Grant (Longbottom), Rowe (c), May (Middleton), Marquis. ROVERS SUBS | Jones, Keegan, Beestin, Lund.
BOOKED | Blair (x2), Wright, Baudry. SENT OFF| Blair.
BLACKPOOL | Slocombe, Mellor, Taylor (c), Robertson, Aimson, Potts, Aldred, Delfouneso (Matt), Danns (Cullen), Black. SUBS | Lyness, Nolan, Flores, Osayi-Samuel, Odeulsi. BOOKED |
ATTENDANCE | 6,914 (447 away)