Spurs hit Rovers for five

Doncaster welcomed Premiership pacesetter Tottenham Hotspur to the Keepmoat for a Carling Cup second round clash.

Both sides made a number of changes from the weekend, Rovers making four changes whilst Spurs made seven.

Rovers started the game brightly, James Hayter and John Spicer both having efforts saved by Cudicini.

Spurs were soon in the lead though when some poor play in defence for Rovers presented the ball to Tom Huddlestone who made no mistake giving Ben Smith no chance.

The lead was soon doubled when Jamie O`Hara was allowed space and time to beat Smith from the edge of the area with a superb strike.

Even after the set back of the two quick goals, Rovers continued to attack and Cudicini made his third good save in the opening quarter when denying Oster.

Peter Crouch finished any hopes of a Rovers comeback off, when he made it three nil with heading home in the 37th minute.

Rovers went in 3-0 down at half time probably feeling a little unlucky to be trailing by the score line.

Lewis Guy had an early second half chance for Rovers but his effort just went wide of the target.

David Bentley made it four nil in the 52nd minute for the visitors with Spurs cruising through to the third round.

Rovers got the goal they deserved when they was awarded a penalty after a handball was spotted in the Spurs box, Martin Woods stepped up to score from the spot.

Rovers almost got a second soon afterwards when Lewis Guy`s effort hit the crossbar and Fairhurst just failed to get on the rebound.

Pavlyuchenko made it 5-1 with just over twenty minutes remaining.

Rovers hi the woodwork again in the closing minutes when Byron Webster hit the post.

The score line probably flattered Spurs but they never really need to get out of second gear after the two early strikes.

Despite the score line a good game of football, you can see why Spurs have started the season so brightly and they have shown they have a good squad capable of battling for a top four finish this season.

Teams

Doncaster:
Smith, Roberts, Chambers, Lockwood, Hird, Stock, Woods, Oster, Hayter, Spicer, Guy

Subs:
Sullivan, Webster, Fortune, Heffernan, Wilson, Shiels, Fairhurst

Tottenham:
Cudicini, Hutton, Bassong, Corluka, Naughton, Bentley, Huddlestone, O`Hara, Giovani, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch.

Subs:
Button, Rose, Boateng, Lennon, Palacios, Defoe