Big-match verdict: Forward planning sees Doncaster Rovers turn on the style

Come full-time last night, however, the decision by the broadcaster to dip into League Two to show the meeting between the leaders and the side sitting fourth had been fully justified.

Doncaster Rovers and Portsmouth produced a cracker of a contest, play raging from end to end so swiftly at times on a bitterly cold night that it more resembled a tennis rally at Wimbledon than a key promotion clash.

Rovers triumphed thanks to two goals from John Marquis and a clinical finish from Tommy Rowe that epitomised the high standard of play produced for both the viewers at home and the hardy 5,568 souls who braved the plunging temperatures.

Those of a Doncaster persuasion were certainly glad they had made the effort. Not only did their side produce a fine all-round display, but the victory was enough to open up a 10-point gap between Darren Ferguson’s men and a Pompey side who sit directly below the automatic promotion places.

Even allowing for the fact Wycombe Wanderers, in FA Cup action this weekend, can cut that to eight points by winning their game in hand, things are looking hugely promising for Rovers.

Not that anyone is likely to get carried away just yet. Exactly a year ago, Rovers looked a good bet to make a concerted push for the League One play-offs after starting 2016 with a 3-0 win at Southend United that Ferguson described as “the complete performance – on and off the ball”.

Five months later, Doncaster had been relegated to the basement division, which is why nothing will be taken for granted by anyone at the Keepmoat.

That said, the manner of last night’s display bodes well for Rovers’ hopes of an instant return.

A stirring start brought the opening goal inside five minutes, Marquis heading in after Matty Blair had flicked James Coppinger’s teasing right-wing cross into the striker’s path.

Marquis went close to doubling that advantage 14 minutes later with another header, this time from Craig Alcock’s cross, that struck the outside of the upright with David Forde in the visitors’ goal well beaten.

This let-off for Paul Cook’s men came after Portsmouth had been denied an equaliser by a stunning one-handed save by Marko Marosi.

Matt Clarke was the man left scratching his head in disbelief after Marosi had somehow turned a header, which took a wicked deflection off Andy Butler, on to a post and to safety.

The breathless pace of the opening quarter may not have been retained for the entire first half, but the chances kept coming as Conor Grant and Niall Mason went close for Rovers.

Grant also fired over, and at the other end Kyle Bennett had a shot blocked before the equaliser arrived just before the break courtesy of a clinical finish by Kal Naismith.

Rovers were initially culpable in handing possession to the visitors, Jordan Houghton’s crossfield ball going straight to Bennett. But, after that, Pompey showed true quality as Bennett’s deft through ball released Naismith and he did the rest with a delightful finish.

Clearly buoyed to be level, Portsmouth started the second half strongly and Marosi did well to keep out a deflected shot from Bennett.

The value of this was underlined just before the hour when the hosts went back in front courtesy of a sweeping move that took in most of the Keepmoat pitch.

A succession of neat passes undid a suddenly leaden-footed Portsmouth, who could only watch in horror as Coppinger slipped Tommy Rowe through.

Then, as David Forde rushed to try to narrow the angle, the Rovers man thundered a ferocious shot that the Pompey goalkeeper had no hope of keeping out.

Marquis netted his 13th goal of the season with a ferocious volley, but there was still time for Marosi to keep out Milan Lalkovic before then having to be substituted following a clash inside his six-yard box.

That, though, could not dampen the spirits of the home fans as they celebrated a victory that, come the end of the season, could well prove crucial.

As for the 669 travelling Pompey fans, all that lay ahead as their players trooped from the field was a long and miserable trip back to the south coast that, no doubt, included plenty of cursing about the process behind Sky’s selection of live games.

Doncaster Rovers: Marosi (Etheridge 86); Alcock, Baudry, Butler; Blair (Williams 55), Mason, Grant, Houghton, Mason; Coppinger (Middleton 67); Marquis. Unused substitutes: Wright, Keegan, Beestin, May.

Portsmouth: Forde; Evans, Burgess, Clarke, Stevens; Doyle, Rose; Bennett (Roberts 67), Naismith (Chaplin 75), Baker (Lalkovic 62); Smith. Substitutes (not used): O’Brien, Whatmough, Linganzi, Hunt.

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire).