Wasteful Rovers frustrate Ferguson
AFTER tossing away a lead on three seperate occasions in this pulsating encounter, Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Ferguson was left bemused.
Twice Ferguson’s Donny led for only a minute as Gary Bowyer’s Blackpool showed resilience to walk away with a point, following last week’s victory over MK Dons.
Ferguson, 45, said: “When you take the lead three times you should be holding on.
“They’ve scored two superb goals but the third goal is a disaster for us, it’s so naïve.
“In the early part of the second half we weren’t aggressive enough, we lost a grip on the game. It’s a game we should have won but they’re all tough games at this level.
“We were just careless in possession at times and that’s unlike us. We lost too many second balls in the second half and just couldn’t get a grip on things.
“The opening part of the second half was pitiful from us.”
It was a slice of luck that put Rovers into the lead as midfielder Tommy Rowe let fly from range, only to see his effort bounce in off Ryan Allsop in the visitors’ goal after his initial strike hit the crossbar.
Sean Longstaff hit back with a long-range effort of his own, before John Marquis volleyed Rovers back in front going into the break.
There were few chances beyond the goals in the second half, and it was wing-back Ollie Turton who curled home the second equaliser of the day after cutting in from the right wing.
Then it was left to the substitutes; first Alfie May tapped home his second goal in a week after a horrendous moment for Clark Robertson.
But once again Bowyer’s side immediately struck back, Callum Cooke slotting home after good work from Longstaff.
“We scored three fabulous goals, we really did,” said Bowyer.
“We didn’t start very well because Doncaster are a good team, like I said last week when they beat Blackburn.
“Their lad’s hit a wonder strike which has come off the back of Ryan, and Mark (Cullen) is clean through and gets injured, so you think luck isn’t entirely with you.
“But the response was great; the first goal from Sean was a wonderful strike, the second from Oliver Turton is a fantastic bit of individual play and, with the third goal, they didn’t touch the ball from the kick-off and it’s a wonderful finish from Callum.”