Doncaster Rovers 0 Accrington Stanley 1 - Paul Smyth winner adds to Rovers’ wobble

Faltering Doncaster Rovers slipped to a third defeat on the spin after being beaten 1-0 at home to Accrington Stanley.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Feb 2021, 21:11 BST
Accrington's defence clear the ball off the line. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIXAccrington's defence clear the ball off the line. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIX
Accrington's defence clear the ball off the line. Picture: Andrew Roe/AHPIX

Rovers had started the game brightly and fashioned a number of chances in the opening 20 minutes.

But the hosts lost their way against their promotion rivals and fell behind after Paul Smyth opened the scoring just before the break.

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Rovers Taylor Richards saw a shot deflected over the bar after Omar Bogle picked him out on three minutes, Bogle had a shot saved by Nathan Baxter, before Richards smashed over.

Dion Charles had a header easily saved by Ellery Balcombe as Accrington threatened for the first time on 23 minutes. Balcombe got down well to hold a Colby Bishop header three minutes later, before Scott Robinson curled over for the hosts.

Stanley when Smyth fired home from long range, but Balcombe will have been left disappointed after the 30-yard shot reared up off the turf before going in.

Ben Barclay was inches away from doubling Accrington’s league seconds while Baxter beat Bogle to the ball after the Rovers striker hesitated when a cross found its way into his path.

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Balcombe made a great save to keep out a powerful effort from Seamus Conneely, while Reece James forced a great save from Baxter at his near post as Doncaster looked to get back into it.

Balcombe did well to tip a long-range Dion Charles shot over the bar, before Charles fired wide.

Doncaster: Balcome, Halliday, Wright, Butler, James, Robertson (Gomes 82), Bostock, Taylor (Sims 65), Richards (John 82), Inacio, Bogle. Unused substitutes: Lokilo, Jones, Amos, Greaves.

Accrington: Baxter, Nottingham, Barclay, Hughes, Burgess, Butcher, Conneely, Philips, Charles, Bishop, Smyth. Unused substitutes: Russell, Maguire, Uwakwe, Rodgers, Scully, Morgan, Savin.

Referee: D Whitehouse (Northants).

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