Match ends, Doncaster Rovers 1, Crewe Alexandra 2.
DoncasterDoncaster Rovers1CreweCrewe Alexandra2
A Harry Pickering free-kick saw Crewe Alexandra end Doncaster's good form with victory at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Charlie Kirk put Crewe ahead in the first half, with Southampton loanee Josh Sims equalising in quickfire fashion for Rovers.
The visitors started the better and it took a brilliant block on the line from Tom Anderson to prevent Tom Lowery from volleying Crewe in front.
Doncaster grew into the game, with Sims forcing a fine save from Will Jaaskelainen.
A lively game ignited further in the space of two minutes after Kirk gave Crewe a 26th minute lead. Callum Ainley slid a pass out wide which Kirk collected and finished superbly past Josef Bursik.
Rovers responded immediately as Madger Gomes powered forward and found Sims, who curled past Jaaskelainen.
Doncaster had the better of things in the second half, with Anderson and Fejiri Okenabirhie going close to putting them ahead.
But Crewe got the breakthrough after 70 minutes when Pickering curled in a wonderful free-kick from the edge of the box.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Doncaster
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Bursik
- 2HallidayBooked at 64mins
- 5Wright
- 4Anderson
- 3James
- 6GomesSubstituted forJohnat 88'minutes
- 8Whiteman
- 11TaylorSubstituted forLokiloat 9'minutes
- 14SmithSubstituted forCoppingerat 74'minutes
- 20Sims
- 9Okenabirhie
Substitutes
- 10Lokilo
- 13Jones
- 18Williams
- 21Butler
- 24John
- 26Coppinger
- 29Hasani
Crewe
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Jaaskelainen
- 2Ng
- 29Beckles
- 17Offord
- 3Pickering
- 8LowerySubstituted forMurphyat 76'minutes
- 4Wintle
- 11AinleySubstituted forFinneyat 82'minutes
- 7PowellSubstituted forDaleat 60'minutes
- 12Mandron
- 10Kirk
Substitutes
- 9Porter
- 13Richards
- 14Finney
- 15Zanzala
- 19Dale
- 23Johnson
- 28Murphy
- Referee:
- Craig Hicks
Match Stats
Home TeamDoncasterAway TeamCrewe
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away5
- Corners
- Home10
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home19
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Doncaster Rovers 1, Crewe Alexandra 2.
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Joe Wright (Doncaster Rovers).
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Will Jaaskelainen (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Benjamin Whiteman (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Corner, Doncaster Rovers. Conceded by Perry Ng.
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Attempt blocked. Cameron John (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Benjamin Whiteman.
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Foul by Reece James (Doncaster Rovers).
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Luke Offord (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. Cameron John replaces Madger Gomes because of an injury.
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Foul by Jason Lokilo (Doncaster Rovers).
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Harry Pickering (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt saved. Joe Wright (Doncaster Rovers) header from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Jason Lokilo with a cross.
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Corner, Doncaster Rovers. Conceded by Owen Dale.
Substitution
Substitution, Crewe Alexandra. Oliver Finney replaces Callum Ainley.
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Foul by Fejiri Okenabirhie (Doncaster Rovers).
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Luke Offord (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Jason Lokilo (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Harry Pickering (Crewe Alexandra).
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Foul by Fejiri Okenabirhie (Doncaster Rovers).
