Big-match analysis: Doncaster Rovers to power on until promotion is secured '“ Butler

Darren Ferguson’s leaders beat in-form Cheltenham to stay four points ahead of second-placed Plymouth and 14 clear of Stevenage, in fourth, with 10 games remaining.

Throw in a far superior goal difference, and that is a buffer which is likely to guarantee Doncaster a swift return to League One.

Central defender Butler insists Rovers have no intention of relaxing after he netted the first goal in Saturday’s comfortable victory.

Striker John Marquis bagged the second – after Town were reduced to 10 men following Will Boyle’s red card – to make it seven points from nine in the last fortnight, following games at Cambridge (won 3-2) and Crawley (0-0).

“All we are focussed on is the next game, nobody will be taking the foot off the gas,” said Butler.

“We don’t worry about other teams, we just keep concentrating on ourselves. We have had a few draws recently and I know people have said it’s a ‘blip’, but you wouldn’t mind having a ‘blip’ if it’s seven points from nine.

“We just need to keep carrying on what we are doing.”

That ‘blip’ meant Rovers had only won once in their previous seven games before Saturday – drawing five and losing at Carlisle.

Rovers never looked like conceding against Cheltenham, but Butler is happy if the strikers take the plaudits, despite back-to-back clean sheets.

“We know we conceded too many goals earlier in the season, but we do try,” said the former Sheffield United defender.

“It’s about getting that understanding between players. At the start of the season, it was all chop-change, not consistent.

“Now we have got a back four – or three sometimes – and now we all know our responsibilities, and I think that shows out on the pitch.

“We know we have players up front who can score, so if we keep it tight at the back, we will get points from games.

“I don’t mind if the forwards get more recognition. It’s pleasing to keep getting clean sheets, but as long as we are scoring goals that’s all that matters.

“Two clean sheets on the bounce and it is something we want to improve on. I feel we have done lately.

“I think we dealt with everything. They got a few corners in a row early on and, in the second half, too, it took us a while to get going. But I thought we grew into the game and thoroughly deserved the win.”

The opening goal owed much to the indiscipline of Liam Davis after the officials gave a free-kick to Doncaster.

While Davis argued his point with the linesman, Rovers took a swift free-kick to Matty Blair, who raced towards goal.

Marquis stabbed at the ball but it was Butler who bundled it in to break the deadlock on 23 minutes.

“I got lost, I think I got a bit of a nose bleed,” smiled the 33-year-old defender, after his third goal of the season. “I usually go up for a few corners, bit it was more of a tackle than a shot. I enjoy scoring goals.”

That lead should have doubled just before the break, after a breakaway saw Marquis win the ball and set captain James Coppinger on his way.

The supporting Alfie May – earlier thwarted by Scott Brown – failed to beat the goalkeeper and Coppinger saw his follow-up booted off the line by Boyle.

The Cheltenham defender turned from hero to villain by being sent off for two yellow cards with 20 minutes remaining, and Doncaster thought they had made it 2-0 when Tommy Rowe headed in from the resulting free-kick only for it be judged offside.

The goal that clinched victory was all about the pace and trickery of May.

He bamboozled Cheltenham’s defence with a weaving run, leaving fellow striker Marquis wide open to take the ball and lash it home for his 21st goal of the campaign.

The scoreline would have been more emphatic but Brown was in fine form, denying substitutes Gary McSheffrey and Andy Williams with super saves.

Victory maintains Doncaster’s unbeaten run at the Keepmoat Stadium, which is a fortnight shy of a calendar year.

The last time they lost on home soil was to Blackpool on March 28, 2016 and Rovers need to avoid defeat against Notts County tomorrow and Plymouth (March 26) to go 12 months without lowering the Keepmoat flag.

May has impressed all at Doncaster since signing from non-league Hythe Town in January.

His pace unsettles defenders and his display against Cheltenham warranted a goal – the standing ovation he got when substituted being fully deserved.

“I have not seen many receptions like that, when Alfie came off, everyone to a man stood up and clapped him,” said manager Darren Ferguson.

“Quite rightly, I thought he was outstanding. He runs the channels, never gives defenders a minute, and, technically, I don’t think he gave the ball away.

“You can say he needs a goal, but he has proved no matter what level he has come from, he is certainly good enough for this level.”

Doncaster Rovers: Lawlor, Blair, Baudry, Butler, Alcock, Mason, Grant (McSheffrey 84), T Rowe, Coppinger (Middleton 76), Marquis, May (Williams 85). Unused substitutes: Marosi, Lund, Longbottom, Evina.

Cheltenham Town: Brown, Onariase, Boyle, Plavotic, Barthram, J Rowe, Winchester (Holman 82), Pell (Dayton 68), Davis (Cranston 45), Waters, Wootton. Unused substitutes: Wright, Munns, Lovett, O’Shaughnessy.

Referee: K Johnson (Weston-super-Mare).