Tommy Rowe scored twice to fire Rovers into the third round of the Emirates FA Cup, as they beat local rivals Scunthorpe United 3-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Goals either side of the break from Rowe, before a late goal from Liam Mandeville, ensured Rovers progressed to the next stage of the competition after a fine home win.
It was a bright start from the home side, who pressed early on and forced a corner on the left-hand side.
James Coppinger’s corner was parried out by Matt Gilks in the Iron goal, but only as far as John Marquis who was lurking on the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker could only clip his shot over.
It wouldn’t take long though for the first goal to come, and deservedly, it was Rovers who grabbed the opener.
Hakeeb Adelakun’s free kick on the left was cleared out by Niall Mason to the Iron’s Duane Holmes, who passed all the way back to Gilks.
Rowe pressed the United keeper, who’s clearance cannoned off the midfielder, and Rowe was able to control and clip the ball past Gilks to hand the home side the lead.
Rovers looked to extend their lead just moments later, with Matty Blair and Alfie Beestin looking to break clear, but Blair’s cross from the right was cut out just in time by Gilks before Beestin could get to it.
Beestin then went close again shortly afterwards, as he looked to break through the Iron defence, but Cameron Burgess managed to get his foot in before he could pull the trigger.
Rovers looked a threat every time they went forward, and yet another set-piece almost opened up the Iron once again.
Coppinger’s corner from the left was met by the head of Andy Butler, with Marquis looking to flick the ball into the net, but Gilks was behind it to prevent Rovers from doubling their lead.
Scunthorpe did come forward in search of an equaliser as the half drew to a close, with two good chances on the stroke of half-time.
First Duane Holmes cut in from the right, and his strike from just inside the box was cleared off the line by Mason, with two other Rovers’ defenders back on the goal line.
Hakeeb Adelakun then went close deep into first-half injury time, as good work from Tom Hopper enabled the winger to get a shot on goal from the edge of the area, which fizzed just wide of the far post.
The visitors came out of the blocks quickly after the break, in search of an equalising goal, and Josh Morris was the man that almost brought the scores level.
Murray Wallace’s header down for Morris enabled him to gain space in the Rovers box, but Ian Lawlor got down well at his near post to deny the Iron an equaliser.
Morris was doing his best to get Scunthorpe the next goal, this time his free kick from 30 yards out was bent around the wall, but it was too easy for Lawlor who collected comfortably.
Rovers handled the pressure well though, and their resistance paid off as they doubled their lead on 67 minutes.
Rodney Kongolo’s determination down the right saw him shrug off the attempts of Wallace to get him off the ball and release Rowe in the area.
Rowe took a touch to compose himself, before powerfully firing across Gilks and into the far corner to extend Rovers’ advantage.
Kongolo then went close to making it three, as he found space down the right once again, but his shot went just wide of the far post.
Marquis then had another effort saved by Gilks, this time low to his left, as the two continued their own personal battle.
The visitors still came forward as they looked for a way back into the game, and Lawlor was once again the hero as he prevented the Iron from pulling a goal back.
He got down to Charlie Goode’s strike from point blank range after another Morris corner to ensure that his clean sheet stayed intact.
Good work down the Rovers’ left this time saw Harry Toffolo create enough space to get a ball in towards Coppinger, however the captain could only curl just wide of the post.
There was just enough time for Rovers to make it three deep into injury time, as Coppinger released Liam Mandeville down the right, and he slotted under Gilks to seal Rovers’ progression into the third round.
Rovers now travel to Oxford United in the league as they will look to follow up their cup win with one in the league.