DONCASTER ROVERS marksman Billy Sharp was in his element against Chesterfield on Tuesday night – and not just because he got back on the goal trail.

Sharp notched his first hat-trick in England since February 2019 in Rovers' 5-1 drubbing of the Spireites in the EFL Trophy and while the tie was played out in front of a sparse Eco-Power Stadium crowd, the atmosphere still possessed a bit of the ‘edge’ that he just loves. Those visiting fans present gave the ex-Sheffield United marksman stick and paid the price as Rovers backed up last weekend's key league success over Peterborough United with another uplifting result.

Should he be involved in the second cup instalment between the sides this week, in North Derbyshire tonight, then the 39-year-old can probably bank on more censure from a much larger gathering of Spireites' followers. Just as he likes it.

He said: "I play to make my fans happy and the other ones angry and I've seemed to be able to do that all my career.

Doncaster Rovers' Billy Sharp slots home the opener in the EFL Trophy match against Chesterfield at the Eco Power Stadium. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD.

placeholder image — Doncaster Rovers' Billy Sharp slots home the opener in the EFL Trophy match against Chesterfield at the Eco Power Stadium. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD.

"It's the best thing about football really. People pay their money to come and watch the game and they're entitled to say what they want.

"I love the FA Cup as well, so I can't wait for that and it will be a good atmosphere because I know we've sold our allocation and I'm sure Chesterfield will fill their ends.

"I'm sure I'll get stick, but I'm not too bothered about that."

After Tuesday's events, Sharp and his Rovers' team-mates will also know how their Chesterfield counterparts will be feeling, as they hunt for revenge.

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann applauds the fans after the final whistle of the recent Sky Bet League One match at the LNER Stadium, Lincoln. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.

That's what Rovers secured in midweek, after shipping in eight goals en route to two league losses to the Spireites last term - including a 5-2 loss at the Proact Stadium in February.

He added: "They beat us heavily twice last season. We owed them one.

"It was the Vertu Trophy, but it's a game of football and Paul Cook won't have been happy.

"He gave his players a couple of chances and he'll be disappointed. They will be wanting to put that right on Saturday and we've got to give it a right good go."

Reaching the third round and continuing their excellent recent cup record would set Grant McCann's side up nicely for Tuesday's league game against Stockport in a month in which Rovers are seeking to make positive strides on three fronts.

Sharp continued: "Hopefully we can go on a run.

"We want to get back into the league and climb the table, but this week is about the cup competitions.

"Obviously we've been struggling in the last eight or nine games in the league, but we managed to get the win last Saturday which hopefully we can build on.

"You wouldn't have known it by looking at the lads on the pitch. It's an easy thing to say but we are a tight-knit group and everyone's been disappointed because we've been playing alright, but we just hadn't been keeping the ball out of the net."