Moore’s rollicking pays off for Donny

A WEEK of hard work paid off for Darren Moore as his Doncaster side returned to winning ways with victory over Bristol Rovers.

Goals from Kieran Sadlier and Jon Taylor banished memories of a four-game winless run.

Moore had lambasted his players for last week’s “unacceptable” performance against Oxford, but was full of praise for the manner in which his side bounced back.

“We were really pleased to have the response that we did,” Moore said.

“With the Oxford game we were below par.

“The work and the detail we did during the week, working off the ball and on it, I’ve seen all evidence of that which paid to getting the result.

“We know Bristol Rovers were a strong team, a form team, but I don’t think we gave them much room to implement their style of play.

“I thought we took the game away from them in terms of managing the ball with good passing and movement.”

Bristol were awarded a penalty after 25 minutes when Sadlier was penalised for a high boot on Alfie Kilgour.

But Tom Nichols’ spot-kick was much too tame and easily saved by Seny Dieng. Doncaster went ahead after 39 minutes. Jon Taylor’s cross kicked up off Luke Leahy and Sadlier darted in ahead of the keeper to head home from close range.

The lead was doubled after 56 minutes. Niall Ennis latched on to a through ball from Ben Whiteman but saw his shot saved, only for Taylor to charge in and slot home from 15 yards.

Bristol had spells of possession, but a tame long-range effort from sub Kyle Bennett was the most threat they created as they chased the game.

Gas boss Graham Coughlan felt his side were below par.

“I didn’t enjoy it,” Coughlan said. “We weren’t at the races. They were there for the taking in the first half an hour but we didn’t take it and we gave them a bit of a lift.

“Sometimes football goes like that when you have opportunities and don’t take chances, it does give the opposition a lift.

“We were poor on the ball and kept giving it back to them.

“When that happens eventually you’ll crack. If I’m honest, I think we got out of jail with it only being 2-0.”