Match Reports

Long wait over for Rovers

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Doncaster Rovers avoided equalling a club record when they defeated Crystal Palace for their first win in twenty games.

The game also marked the first game in charge for new boss Dean Saunders and he celebrated a much needed three points thanks to a John Oster strike halfway through the second half.

It was Rovers first win since winning at Derby County in March and their first home win since the beginning of February when they defeated Burnley.

Rovers were boosted by the return to the squad of Billy Sharp who took his place amongst the substitutes whilst Jon Parkin made his first appearance after joining on loan in the week.

In a tight first half, Rovers best chance fell to Simon Gillett but his effort was deflected wide for a corner.

At the other end, Glenn Murray saw his shot from the edge of the area just went over the bar.

Rovers keeper Neil Sullivan had to be alert to keep out another Murray effort early in the second half.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon came just short of the hour mark when Billy Sharp came off the bench for his first appearance since injury on the opening day.

It wasn`t long before the Rovers fans were cheering again. This time it was to celebrate a goal, when a long distance shot from former Palace player John Oster, took a huge deflection, leaving Juliano Speroni in the Palace goal with no chance.

With Rovers fans on tenterhooks in the closing moments, Palace had a free kick from around 30 yards out but much to their relief the ball sailed over the bar.

A much-needed three points for Rovers doesn`t get them off the bottom of the championship but they are now just two points behind the teams directly above them.

Next up is another home game with Hull City on Tuesday night as Rovers will try and build on this victory.

Teams

Doncaster
Sullivan, O`Connor, Friend, Naylor, Martis, Gillett, Stock, Oster, Parkin 9Sharp 57), Coppinger (Lalkovic 57), Hayter

Subs not used
Woods, Hird, Bennett,

Crystal Palace
Speroni, Wright (Williams 77), McCarthy, Moxey, Jedinak, Ambrose, Murray, Scannell (Easter 63), Zaha, Ramage, Tunchev

Subs not used
Price, Parr, Gardner,


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