Super-sub Rowe hits winner on his return

GRANT McCANN says he expected Tommy Rowe’s return to action to give Doncaster Rovers a lift but did not bank on him scoring the winning goal against AFC Wimbledon.

Captain Rowe made his return after 10 weeks out, coming off the bench and scoring a late winner against the struggling Dons to end Doncaster’s seven match sequence without a victory.

“I did say that having the skipper back would give people a bounce,” boss McCann said afterwards.

“I thought he was brilliant when he came on, giving us that balance in midfield.

McCann believes the late heroics from Rovers could push them back towards their promising early season form.

“Hopefully this is a turning point in our season” he said.

“It’s never easy playing a team that doesn’t have a manager. Wimbledon had a bounce today. They were strong.”

It had appeared as though Wimbledon would end their seven match losing run after Mitch Pinnock opened the scoring via a fine sweeping counterattack, which he concluded with a drilled effort under Ian Lawlor.

But Doncaster responded well and were level after 35 minutes. In a short free-kick routine, Crawford played a one-two with Ben Whiteman before curling a wonderful effort into the top corner from 20 yards.

Doncaster looked much the more threatening for the remainder of the game, though it took a fine save from Lawlor to keep out Scott Wagstaff.

The second half was one-way traffic but it took until the 87th minute for Doncaster to go ahead when Rowe surged through several challenges and lashed a low shot home.

AFC Wimbledon’s interim boss Simon Bassey says it is imperative the club secures a new manager quickly but that it is more important the right man is selection.

Bassey, who reiterated his lack of interest in taking the job full time, said: “From everyone’s point of view, the sooner that is sorted the better.

“The club will make their decision. I’m sure they won’t rush into one and risk getting it wrong.

“I’m sure they’ll go through it thoroughly

“It won’t be me, certainly. I’ve been asked to do the job by the board and I’ll do it for as long as they need me to do it.”