Anderson heads in to thwart Wombles
DEFENDER Tom Anderson earned Doncaster another crack at Wimbledon, much to the pleasure of boss Darren Moore.
Joe Pigott struck just before the break to hand the Wombles the lead, but Anderson rose highest to head home a second-half equaliser and keep them in the hat.
“It was a battling encounter, but I’m pleased we’ve come away from here having not lost the game,” Moore said.
“I’m disappointed not to win, but I welcome the extra match at the Keepmoat.
“The players showed commitment. They regrouped at half-time. We knew we needed to get more pressure on them and get more bodies in the box.
“The weather in Yorkshire has been terrible, so I’m pleased we were able to do what we wanted to in patches today.”
The Dons had the better of the early chances, with Paul Osew and Terell Thomas both firing narrowly off target.
Doncaster were denied an opener approaching the half-hour mark when loanee keeper Nathan Trott brilliantly tipped Kwame Thomas’ header wide.
Pigott put the hosts in front after 43 minutes with only his third goal of the season. The striker neatly glanced Luke O’Neill’s delivery past Seny Dieng.
Thomas should have doubled their advantage shortly after half-time, but headed wide when unmarked in the box.
Anderson earned Rovers a deserved replay when he rose high in a crowded penalty area to meet Danny Amos’ corner after 63 minutes.
Trott parried Rovers captain James Coppinger’s low drive and Dieng kept out Kwesi Appiah’s header late on as neither side was able to secure a definite place in round two.
Glyn Hodges has backed Pigott to rediscover his best form following his goal.
He said: “I’m pleased for him. Sometimes it goes for strikers, sometimes it doesn’t. He’s been getting in the right areas.
“I’m pleased with the performance. I came in at half-time thinking that was the best we’ve played since I was appointed manager.
“I was comfortable with how we looked out there – the players had done exactly what we asked of then.
“The replay will be another measure of how far we’ve come.”