Grant McCann felt there were lessons to be learnt from Rovers’ Carabao Cup defeat to Blackpool at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Alfie May’s opener was cancelled out by goals from Michael Nottingham and Harry Pritchard for the Seasiders, and McCann says the better team won on the night.
He said: “We wanted to do well in the cup and I put a team on the pitch to do that, but Blackpool were better than us on the night.
“It was an opportunity for me to have a look at players who haven’t had much game time, and assess where they’re at.
“We became slightly one-dimensional and kept firing long balls up to Alfie May which isn’t going to work when he’s up against two big centre-halves.”
Rovers will look for an immediate response as they return to league action against Peterborough United on Saturday, and McCann is looking forward to going up against his former club.
He added: “Whether we win, lose or draw once a game is finished the focus is always on to the next one, we have a very tough game against Peterborough coming up.
“You always want to play in big games and there are plenty of them at this level, our focus is on getting ourselves towards the top of the table.
“I’m looking forward to it, it’s just another game but we need to go there and make sure we do ourselves proud and play the way we can.”
Rovers are back in action at the Keepmoat Stadium when Newcastle United U21 visit in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday September 4. Book your place now at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk.