Character praised in Doncaster Rovers' fightback

Doncaster's Tommy Rowe, pictured. (Picture: Marie Caley)

Darren Ferguson was full of admiration for the '˜character' his Doncaster Rovers side showed in coming from behind to defeat MK Dons.

Rovers turned in a poor first- half performance after falling behind to an early goal from Chuks Aneke.

Play was panicky, resulting in misplaced passes and poor decision making which only increased the pressure on them.

But they rallied after the break with goals from John Marquis and substitute Matty Blair helping them turn the game on its head.

While pledging to focus on the negatives in training on Monday, Ferguson preferred to look at the positives as Rovers returned to winning ways.

“We had to show a lot of determination and character about our performance, which we did,” said Ferguson.

“The early goal from Milton Keynes affected us too much and we were probably fortunate to be only one goal behind at half time.

“You get games like that. The goal affected us and we couldn’t get any control of the game.

“They were dominant in the middle of the pitch which I was surprised about because we had four strong lads in there.

“At half-time we just had a chat, I told them one or two things and Alfie Beestin came on and did very well.

“In the main it was about the character of the players.

“The players deserve a lot of credit for coming back and winning that game.”

Doncaster Rovers: Lawlor, Mason, Wright, Butler, Garrett, Whiteman (Baudry 90), Houghton (Blair 65), Kongolo (Beestin 46), Coppinger, Rowe, Marquis. Unused substitutes: Marosi, Mandeville, Toffolo, Ben Khemis.

Milton Keynes Dons: Nicholls, B Williams, Wootton, Ebanks-Landell, Golbourne, Gilbey, McGrandles (Nesbitt 79), Upson (Seager 74), Pawlett, Aneke, Agard (Thomas-Asante 74). Unused substitutes: Walsh, Ariyibi, Sietsma, Brittain.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).