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Doncaster Rovers 2 Crystal Palace 0: O'Driscoll proud of battling Rovers
CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock bemoaned his side's luck after they went four away games without a win with defeat at Doncaster.
The visitors had the better chances but lost 2-0 after goals from Dean Shiels on the stroke of half-time and James Hayter in the second half.
"We should have been 4-0 up before they scored," said Warnock.
"We hit the post three times in the first half and missed an even better chance than any of those but I was disappointed with the way we lost in the second half.
"The way we played after the interval told me a lot about my players – some good and some bad.
"It's a great challenge for me to sort it out and have a go next year.
"We haven't got much money to spend but the chairman is very supportive and it could be an interesting season.
"You have to give some credit to Doncaster. It's a fantastic achievement for them to come new into the league and finish around mid-table when they were bottom at one stage. They are a lovely club and have some lovely fans."
Johannes Ertl set the tone for Palace when he headed against a post from a free kick in the 21st minute, and five minutes later Anthony Stokes was denied by the woodwork.
Doncaster had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down midway through the first half when on-loan striker Kazenga Lua Lua was brought down from behind by Nat Clyne, but Shiels put them ahead with the last kick of the first half when he finished off an excellent move from close range.
The hosts continued to dominate after the break and Hayter gave them breathing space when he latched on to a pass from teenage substitute Waide Fairhurst and slammed home.
Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll said: "I think we've shown we can compete in this division now.
"We had a bit of luck when they kept hitting the post but against that we should have had a penalty and when the chances came, we took them.
"The supporters have helped us a lot this season because they have stuck with us when results weren't going our way.
"We were bottom of the table at Christmas and I'm proud of the way we've managed to climb up the table while at the same time sticking to playing football the way we have always done."
Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan (Gary Woods 90); Chambers, Van Nieuwstadt, Hird, Roberts; Spicer, Martin Woods, Wellens, Shiels (Guy 78); Hayter, LuaLua (Fairhurst 64). Unused substitutes: Fisher, Clarke.
Crystal Palace: Speroni; Clyne, Lawrence, McCarthy, Hill; Ertl, Carle (Cadogan 58), Danns, Rui Fonte (Hills 76); Stokes, Kuqi (Scowcroft 69). Unused substitutes: Jose Fonte, Comley.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).
Man of the match: Dean Shiels.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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