Doncaster stretched their lead at the top of League One by inflicting Bournemouth's fifth successive defeat.

After a goalless first half, Rovers went ahead on the break when David Cotterill crossed for Billy Paynter to net his 11th goal of the season.

Substitute Matt Tubbs looked to have grabbed the Cherries a late point.

But less than a minute later, James Husband burst down the left to fire a second for table-topping Doncaster.

Bournemouth, who remain seventh but are in danger of losing touch with the play-off places, more than held their own early on as Marc Pugh crossed for Brett Pitman who headed towards goal, but veteran ex-Scotland keeper Neil Sullivan palmed it behind for a corner, from which another Pugh centre was headed against the post by defender Steve Cook.

After the break, Sullivan had to be alert to smother a dangerous Matt Ritchie cross, but Rovers immediately broke upfield, Wales winger Cotterill was allowed to cross and although debutant keeper Ryan Allsop got a hand to Paynter's shot, he could not prevent it squirming over the line.

Lewis Grabban then had a great chance to equalise when through one-on-one but Sullivan, 43, pushed his low shot wide.

With mist descending on Dean Court, the Cherries went for broke, throwing on strikers Tubbs and Steve Fletcher, and the pair combined when 40-year-old Fletcher nodded the ball on for Tubbs who burst through to flick it over the advancing Sullivan.

But once more, Doncaster quickly broke from front to back and Husband found himself free on the left before sending the 569 travelling fans into raptures by lashing the ball past Allsop and into the far corner.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told BBC Radio Solent:

"It's a similar feeling to after the Coventry game really where I thought we were the better team for the 90 minutes.

"We had numerous chances, hit the woodwork twice. The keeper's made a couple of great saves and we've ended up losing the game 2-1 in quite bizarre circumstances really.

"It's difficult to take because these are key results for us at a key time of the season.

"The lads gave everything, a very committed performance, at times a very good performance with a lot of technical quality but unfortunately we just weren't ruthless enough in their box and didn't take the chances that came our way."

Doncaster Rovers manager Brian Flynn told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I thought it was a great game from start to finish, it was a really good game with two good teams battling out.

"There's always time. It only takes a second to score a goal so there's always time.

"We've done well many times coming back. I think it's a big win for us at this time of the season.

"We played a good team today who gave us serious problems all over the pitch."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Bournemouth

  • 21 Allsop
  • 02 Francis
  • 03 Cook
  • 05 Seaborne
  • 07 Pugh
  • 16 MacDonald (Fletcher - 78' )
  • 17 McQuoid (Fraser - 71' )
  • 30 Ritchie
  • 32 O'Kane Booked
  • 22 Grabban (Tubbs - 78' )
  • 40 Pitman

Substitutes

  • 01 Jalal
  • 06 Partington
  • 12 Fogden
  • 20 Fraser
  • 26 Hughes
  • 18 Tubbs
  • 33 Fletcher

Doncaster Rovers

  • 01 Sullivan
  • 02 Quinn
  • 03 Husband Booked
  • 05 Jones
  • 14 Spurr
  • 16 McCombe
  • 11 Cotterill
  • 12 Lundstram
  • 26 Coppinger Booked
  • 08 Paynter (Bennett - 90' )
  • 09 Brown (Hume - 89' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Maxted
  • 15 Wakefield
  • 19 Griffin
  • 22 Howieson
  • 17 Hume
  • 18 Sinclair
  • 23 Bennett
Ref: Graham
Att: 7,178

Match Stats

Shots

16 11

On target

7 8

Corners

10 2

Fouls

4 13

Live Text Commentary

94:54 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +4:00

The referee blows for offside against James Husband. Ryan Allsop restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +2:38

Direct free kick taken by Tommy Spurr.

90:00 +2:38 Substitution

Substitution Kyle Bennett replaces Billy Paynter.

90:00 +2:38

Simon Francis gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Husband.

90:00 +1:31

James Husband concedes a free kick for a foul on Matt Tubbs. The ball is swung over by Matt Ritchie, Brett Pitman produces a header from deep inside the area and hits the post. The ball is crossed by Eunan O'Kane.

84:35

The ball is sent over by Matt Ritchie, Rob Jones manages to make a clearance.

88:03 Substitution

Substitution Iain Hume replaces Chris Brown.

87:00 Goal scored

Goal - James Husband - Bournem'th 1 - 2 Doncaster James Husband scores a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Bournemouth 1-2 Doncaster.

85:45

Assist by Steve Fletcher.

85:45 Goal scored

Goal - Matt Tubbs - Bournem'th 1 - 1 Doncaster Matt Tubbs scores a goal from just inside the area low into the middle of the goal. Bournemouth 1-1 Doncaster.

85:13

The ball is sent over by David Cotterill.

84:35

The ball is swung over by Matt Ritchie, Rob Jones manages to make a clearance.

83:49

Foul by Billy Paynter on Eunan O'Kane, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Eunan O'Kane.

83:38

The ball is delivered by Simon Francis, Rob Jones makes a clearance.

82:03

David Cotterill takes a shot. Daniel Seaborne gets a block in.

80:28

Simon Francis delivers the ball, Rob Jones makes a clearance. Matt Tubbs is ruled offside. Neil Sullivan restarts play with the free kick.

79:24

James Husband takes a shot from 20 yards. Blocked by Eunan O'Kane.

77:36 Substitution

Substitution Steve Fletcher joins the action as a substitute, replacing Shaun MacDonald.

77:36 Substitution

Substitution Matt Tubbs is brought on as a substitute for Lewis Grabban.

77:17

Corner taken short by Lewis Grabban. Matt Ritchie delivers the ball, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Brett Pitman misses to the right of the target.

75:28 Booking

Booking The referee shows James Husband a yellow card for time wasting.

74:23

Shot from 25 yards by Eunan O'Kane. Save by Neil Sullivan. Ryan Fraser decides to take a short corner.

73:39

The assistant referee flags for offside against Rob Jones. Indirect free kick taken by Ryan Allsop.

73:06

Direct free kick taken by David Cotterill.

73:06 Booking

Booking Eunan O'Kane receives a yellow card.

73:01

Unfair challenge on Billy Paynter by Eunan O'Kane results in a free kick.

72:46

The ball is delivered by Simon Francis, John Lundstram manages to make a clearance.

72:27

The ball is swung over by Simon Francis.

70:51 Substitution

Substitution Josh McQuoid goes off and Ryan Fraser comes on.

68:08

The ball is swung over by Daniel Seaborne, Rob Jones makes a clearance.

65:51

Assist on the goal came from David Cotterill.

65:51 Goal scored

Goal - Billy Paynter - Bournem'th 0 - 1 Doncaster Billy Paynter finds the back of the net with a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Bournemouth 0-1 Doncaster.

65:45

A cross is delivered by Matt Ritchie, clearance by Rob Jones.

65:29

Marc Pugh produces a cross, Rob Jones manages to make a clearance.

65:02

Marc Pugh crosses the ball.

63:14

Corner taken short by Matt Ritchie. The ball is crossed by Eunan O'Kane.

62:40

Foul by Paul Quinn on Marc Pugh, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Brett Pitman from left by-line, clearance by Rob Jones.

61:40

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Ryan Allsop.

61:40

Billy Paynter is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Ryan Allsop.

61:24

James Coppinger has an effort at goal. Blocked by Shaun MacDonald. Paul Quinn delivers the ball.

57:14

The ball is swung over by James Husband.

55:38

David Cotterill crosses the ball, blocked by Daniel Seaborne. Corner taken right-footed by David Cotterill from the left by-line, clearance made by Simon Francis.

55:15

Centre by Steve Cook, Tommy Spurr gets a block in.

54:15

A cross is delivered by Tommy Spurr, David Cotterill has an effort at goal from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

54:03

A cross is delivered by Paul Quinn, clearance made by Steve Cook.

53:39

Drilled right-footed shot by Simon Francis. John Lundstram makes a clearance.

53:28

Marc Pugh produces a cross.

52:39

The ball is sent over by Matt Ritchie, clearance by Tommy Spurr.

52:19

Direct free kick taken by Eunan O'Kane.

52:19 Booking

Booking James Coppinger goes into the book.

52:13

Foul by James Coppinger on Shaun MacDonald, free kick awarded.

51:50

The ball is crossed by Matt Ritchie.

50:01

Marc Pugh sends in a cross, clearance made by Jamie McCombe. Shot from just outside the box by Matt Ritchie misses to the right of the target.

50:01

The ball is swung over by Marc Pugh, Jamie McCombe makes a clearance. Matt Ritchie produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target.

49:32

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Matt Ritchie, Rob Jones manages to make a clearance.

49:25

The ball is delivered by Eunan O'Kane, clearance by Rob Jones.

48:12

David Cotterill takes a shot. Ryan Allsop makes a save.

46:23

Unfair challenge on Marc Pugh by Paul Quinn results in a free kick. Brett Pitman has an effort direct from the free kick.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +1:02 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

42:43

John Lundstram produces a drilled right-footed shot from 25 yards. James Coppinger gets a block in.

41:24

Marc Pugh sends in a cross, Neil Sullivan makes a comfortable save.

40:51

Matt Ritchie delivers the ball, clearance by James Husband.

40:38

Corner taken short by Matt Ritchie.

40:30

Centre by Matt Ritchie, Jamie McCombe manages to make a clearance.

39:56

David Cotterill gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Seaborne. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Allsop.

34:22

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Chris Brown by Daniel Seaborne. David Cotterill sends in a cross, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Rob Jones goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

33:41

Unfair challenge on Daniel Seaborne by Chris Brown results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Ryan Allsop.

33:22

A cross is delivered by Marc Pugh, Lewis Grabban takes a shot. Neil Sullivan makes a comfortable save.

31:20

Eunan O'Kane delivers the ball, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Eunan O'Kane by James Husband. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Matt Ritchie, clearance by Tommy Spurr.

29:29

Corner taken left-footed by Matt Ritchie, clearance by Billy Paynter.

28:40

James Coppinger gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marc Pugh. Free kick crossed right-footed by Brett Pitman from left channel, Jamie McCombe makes a clearance.

27:22

The ball is delivered by David Cotterill, Daniel Seaborne makes a clearance.

26:31

Marc Pugh has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

26:10

The offside flag is raised against Chris Brown. Ryan Allsop takes the indirect free kick.

25:21

Marc Pugh produces a cross, Rob Jones manages to make a clearance.

21:37

Brett Pitman takes a shot. Save by Neil Sullivan. Matt Ritchie decides to take the corner short. Shot by Brett Pitman from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

20:11

Effort from the edge of the area by Billy Paynter goes wide of the left-hand post.

19:18

Centre by Matt Ritchie, Header on goal by Brett Pitman from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

18:17

Unfair challenge on Brett Pitman by Jamie McCombe results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Steve Cook.

16:34

Shot by Lewis Grabban. Save made by Neil Sullivan.

14:52

The ball is delivered by Tommy Spurr.

13:24

Matt Ritchie sends in a cross, Daniel Seaborne takes a shot. Neil Sullivan makes a comfortable save.

13:03

Matt Ritchie sends in a cross, James Husband makes a clearance.

12:54

Short corner worked by Matt Ritchie.

12:46

Marc Pugh sends in a cross, blocked by Paul Quinn.

10:21

The ball is delivered by Chris Brown, Steve Cook gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by David Cotterill from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Brett Pitman.

9:21

Rob Jones gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Josh McQuoid. Ryan Allsop restarts play with the free kick.

7:14

Drilled right-footed shot by Chris Brown. Save made by Ryan Allsop.

4:58

Corner taken short by Brett Pitman. The ball is delivered by Matt Ritchie, clearance made by Rob Jones.

4:40

A cross is delivered by Marc Pugh, Steve Cook takes a shot.

4:07

Marc Pugh delivers the ball, Brett Pitman takes a shot. Neil Sullivan makes a save. Matt Ritchie takes a short corner.

3:43

Paul Quinn produces a cross, clearance made by Steve Cook.

2:22

John Lundstram challenges Eunan O'Kane unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Steve Cook.

1:44

The assistant referee flags for offside against Chris Brown. Indirect free kick taken by Ryan Allsop.

0:28

Matt Ritchie fouled by John Lundstram, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Allsop.

0:06

Shaun MacDonald challenges Chris Brown unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by David Cotterill, clearance made by Daniel Seaborne.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

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