Dickov’s delight at Doncaster comeback
PAUL Dickov highlighted his side’s character after Doncaster Rovers came from behind to win for the first time this season at the expense of local rivals Scunthorpe United.
The first goal had decided all but one of Rovers’ previous games this season.
But James Coppinger equalised four minutes after Rory Fallon had fired the Iron in front and Nathan Tyson struck what proved to be the winner early in the second half.
“It’s probably rightly so, but it’s been chucked at us that when we go behind, we can’t get back in the game,” Dickov said.
“When we conceded against Walsall last week (an eventual 3-0 defeat) people were saying we couldn’t get back into it.
“We’ve spoken about that in the week at length, so from that point of view, I thought the reaction we got from the players was outstanding.
“Some of the football we played at times, attacking-wise, was excellent.We had something like 18 shots at goal, 10 or 11 of them on target, and when you have that, you expect to score goals.
“Overall, I’m delighted, it was a derby game and we had loads of fans here. To send them home with three points was just as important as it was for us to get three points.”
Doncaster had not lost in their previous seven matches against their rivals from 26 miles down the road and were good value for this latest win.
They had been on top before Fallon picked up possession on the edge of the penalty area and stroked a shot into the bottom corner.
But, crucial to their comeback, their riposte was almost instant. Coppinger turned in the six-yard box after a corner had not been cleared and drilled a low shot low into the net.
Rovers almost netted a second 60 seconds later – but overworked Iron keeper Bobby Olejnik came off his line to save at the feet of Harry Forrester, who had been put through oneon-one.
Scunthorpe, having gifted their visitors a goal, did the same again early in the second half, Tyson getting the better of the home defence to fire into the far corner in the 49th minute.
It left United boss Russ Wilcox bemoaning his side’s defending.
“It’s the same old story,” he groaned.“But I do think our performance today warranted something from the game – although I’m not sure it warranted three points.
“It’s the best we’ve played for a long, long time with regards to passing the ball and moving.
“It was always going to be a difficult game, but the bottom line is schoolboy errors are costing us.
“It’s so hard to eradicate them on the training ground.”