No-one is using the R word here, says Grant

GRANT McCann insists the threat of relegation has never been spoken about in the Doncaster camp after they took a giant step towards securing their League Two status.

Goals from Joe Ironside and Hakeeb Adelakun saw Doncaster through to a first win since New Year’s Day, moving them ten points clear of the bottom two.

McCann said the only focus now was to collect as many wins as possible.

“We’ve still got a game in hand and we’re just in that area where we’re 13 or 14 points from the top seven and ten points from the relegation zone,” he said. “We want to make sure we finish strong. The fans were brilliant and they’ve been crying out for that sort of win.

“It’s a good win but our focus will quickly turn onto Salford on Tuesday. There was lots to like – bravery getting on the ball, being patient and I thought we grew into the game.”

Doncaster certainly started the brighter and took the lead in the 15th minute when Ironside headed in from Adelakun’s cross.

Regan Hendry fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box as Tranmere pushed for an equaliser. The visitors came out firmly on the front foot at the start of the second half and found an equaliser when substitute Josh Hawkes cut inside and curled a shot into the far corner on the hour.

But Doncaster were back in front five minutes later when Adelakun latched onto Owen Bailey’s lofted pass, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

Tranmere boss Nigel Adkins felt there was plenty to be positive about, with fine margins costing them on the day after Josh Hawkes equalised on the hour mark.

“We were looking to win it and we had more than enough opportunities,” he said. “We started the game well and the players grafted and worked hard. When we went behind, we got back into the game.

We had that early momentum in the second half.

“They’ve defended deep but got what proved to be the winning goal. We had opportunities and it wasn’t for the lack of trying. The lads kept going all the way through.

“On another day, we would have won comfortably. It’s fine margins and we haven’t done it but you could see our attacking threat – and the fans were brilliant from the very beginning.

“We haven’t got three points but there are many things we did well.”