FERGIE’S FUMING AT LACK OF GOALS
DONCASTER ROVERS manager Darren Ferguson’s frustration was evident after his league-leading side were held to a draw by Morecambe.
Peter Murphy’s first-half effort put the visitors into a surprise lead before John Marquis’s cool finish gave Rovers half an hour to find a winner.
The result, and Plymouth’s win at Cambridge, now means Plymouth are five points behind Doncaster with a game in hand.
But despite throwing everything at Jim Bentley’s side, Rovers couldn’t find a winner much to the annoyance of Ferguson.
“We should have won the game with the dominance we had, especially in the second half,” said Ferguson.
“Once Morecambe went ahead it gave them something to hang onto but we were totally dominant once we got the goal.
“Yes, it’s two points dropped but we’ve taken 16 points from 18 so we can’t really complain at the moment.”
The game started quickly with both sides seeing goals disallowed for offside inside the first 15 minutes, before captain Murphy curled home with his left foot from inside the box.
Morecambe’s goal sparked Doncaster into life and they would have been level just before the break had it not been for an inspired save from Barry Roche to deny Andy Williams.
But when Marquis slotted home James Coppinger’s pullback with 35 minutes remaining, it looked like the writing may be on the wall for Bentley but the manager was thrilled with his side’s defensive display.
“I’m really proud of the players after everything this club has been through in the past couple of weeks,” said Bentley.
“The preparations haven’t been easy but we’ve put in a great performance and a point was the least we deserved.
“We haven’t just come here and hit Doncaster on the counter-attack, we’ve caused them some real problems which is great for us because they’re the best team in the league and we could have won it.
“They’ve got the best striker in the league as Marquis showed with his finish, so I’m really proud with what we’ve done.”
Chances came and went for Rovers as the clock ticked down, Marquis coming closest with a late effort that curled just wide whilst several headers went agonisingly over the bar.
As the game moved into the final minutes, it was Morecambe who came closest to stealing the points, substitute Rhys Turner firing straight at Ian Lawlor after Rovers failed to pick him on at a free-kick.
But it was Rovers’ slow start that left Ferguson irritated.
“All I’ve said to the players is we’ve got to start quicker and stop giving opponents a foot in the game,” he added.
“I was pleased with a lot of aspects – the effort and commitment was there and if it had been a boxing match it would have been stopped.”