ROVERS GET HOME RULE IN THE END
DONCASTER Rovers boss Paul Dickov insisted his side must learn to close games out more effectively after a tense victory over Chesterfield.
Rovers had to withstand a fierce onslaught from the visitors despite having lead 2-0 and 3-1 as they finally sealed their first victory of the season at the Keepmoat at the fifth time of asking.
Dickov warned his players they must improve – and soon.
He said: “I am delighted that we have got the monkey off our back with the home win.
“It was a great game for the neutral but made for nervous watching for me in the closing stages.
“We need to control the game better than that. We stopped doing what we were doing well and let them back get back into the game and they put us under pressure.
“We took throw-ins too fast and had players in the wrong position when we were 3-1 up. I know we are a bit naive but that is something we need to learn from that.”
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook also called on his players to improve their defending as they adjust to life in League One.
“We have got to defend better than that.We spoke at half-time of tightening up and then we concede straight after the restart,” said Cook.
“We have stepped up a level and the standard of finishing against us has also stepped up.
“We have lost defenders and that has caught up with us.We are a bit too cavalier right now, even for my liking. We need to work on that and that will come with a settled back four and spending hours on the training field.
“It is never nice to lose, but we will take it on the chin and come back strong.”
Nathan Tyson put Doncaster ahead on six minutes when he headed home Reece Wabara’s cross.
Tyson then wasted a good chance to double Rovers’ advantage after another superb cross by Wabara carved Chesterfield open on 12 minutes.
Tommy Lee was down bravely to save well at Tyson’s feet on 26 minutes as the home side dominated.
But Lee could not prevent Doncaster from doubling their lead when Kyle Bennett smashed home after 33 minutes.
Sam Clucas scored his first Chesterfield goal on 41 minutes to cut the deficit after Steer had diverted Daniel Johnson’s shot on to the post.
Chesterfield’s hopes of another dramatic comeback were dealt a big blow when poor marking allowed Jamie McCombe to rifle home on 49 minutes.
Eoin Doyle continued his amazing goalscoring run as he poked home a loose ball on 60 minutes to claim his seventh goal in three games and set up a dramatic finish. But Jed Steer produced a number of solid saves in the Doncaster goal in the closing stages to wrap up all three points.