Match ends, Doncaster Rovers 4, Bristol Rovers 1.
DoncasterDoncaster Rovers4Bristol RoversBristol Rovers1
Doncaster Rovers climbed into the League One play-off places with a 4-1 beating of relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.
After midfielder James Coppinger struck twice in the first 12 minutes, Mallik Wilks made it 3-0 by the break.
Kieran Sadlier struck the fourth a minute into the second half, before Jonson Clarke-Harris pulled one back with a 66th-minute penalty.
Doncaster go sixth, but Bristol Rovers remain just three points clear of trouble.
Coppinger gave the home side the lead after just three minutes when his tame effort squirmed under visiting goalkeeper Jack Bonham, who should have done better.
But the 38-year-old veteran - now just 12 short of 100 career goals - needed no help with his second, firing home a low effort from 20 yards.
After Wilks converted from 12 yards after 31 minutes, Sadlier's 30-yard stunner quickly added to Doncaster's deserved lead.
Clarke-Harris pulled one back from the penalty spot after 66 minutes after being shoved to the ground inside the area, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
They are now looking over their shoulders after conceding four goals to Doncaster for the second time this season.
Line-ups
Doncaster
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Marosi
- 17Blair
- 31Downing
- 6Butler
- 3Andrew
- 26CoppingerSubstituted forBeestinat 80'minutes
- 11Crawford
- 10Rowe
- 7WilksBooked at 49minsSubstituted forMayat 75'minutes
- 9Marquis
- 22SadlierSubstituted forSmithat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Anderson
- 14Beestin
- 18Smith
- 19May
- 33Jones
- 41Hasani
- 44Lewis
Bristol Rovers
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Bonham
- 15J ClarkeBooked at 90mins
- 4Lockyer
- 5Craig
- 3Holmes-DennisBooked at 70minsSubstituted forPartingtonat 72'minutes
- 6UpsonBooked at 74minsSubstituted forSinclairat 75'minutes
- 25Ogogo
- 8O Clarke
- 17JakubiakSubstituted forMooreat 82'minutes
- 19Clarke-Harris
- 20Reilly
Substitutes
- 7Sercombe
- 10Nichols
- 21Smith
- 22Partington
- 24Sinclair
- 30Kilgour
- 43Moore
- Referee:
- Martin Coy
- Attendance:
- 6,907
Match Stats
Home TeamDoncasterAway TeamBristol Rovers
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away7
- Corners
- Home5
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Doncaster Rovers 4, Bristol Rovers 1.
Booking
James Clarke (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Tommy Rowe (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Stuart Sinclair (Bristol Rovers).
Post update
Attempt missed. John Marquis (Doncaster Rovers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Doncaster Rovers. Conceded by James Clarke.
Post update
Corner, Doncaster Rovers. Conceded by Joe Partington.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tommy Rowe (Doncaster Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Substitution
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. Tyler Smith replaces Kieran Sadlier.
Post update
John Marquis (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Abu Ogogo (Bristol Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Deon Moore replaces Alex Jakubiak.
Post update
Foul by Alfie May (Doncaster Rovers).
Post update
Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. Alfie Beestin replaces James Coppinger.
Post update
Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by Marko Marosi.
Post update
Attempt saved. James Clarke (Bristol Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Post update
Foul by Paul Downing (Doncaster Rovers).
Post update
Jonson Clarke-Harris (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
