Darren Ferguson pleased with Doncaster Rovers' determination in win over MK Dons

DONCASTER Rovers closed to within a point of fellow Yorkshire club Bradford City with a 13th win of the season.

Striker John Marquis took the praise for a double strike, but manager Darren Ferguson was pleased with the reaction from his players after trailing at the break to a goal from Ike Ugbo.

Ferguson said: “I thought we were very good in the second half and found a way to win. We were nowhere near before half-time and we needed to change that quickly.

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“I was pleased we were only one goal behind as we didn’t play with any energy and lost our individual battles. We changed one or two things and the players responded really well.

“The game became very open in the second half, which I was pleased with for the most part, because it meant we could play into space and look to hurt them on the counter attack.”

Rovers saw out six minutes of stoppage-time to secure the win, and the manager added: “They had to go for it and had to win the game. We couldn’t really get out late on, but our team put their bodies on the line to make sure we got the win and showed great determination.

“We knew what to expect, but whoever we come across are going to have something to play for. I expect a certain level of energy and performance from my players and I saw that in the second half.”

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Having won at the next-to-bottom club, Rovers return to the Keepmoat tomorrow to face bottom side Bury as Bradford entertain Portsmouth.

Milton Keynes Dons: Sietsma, Wootton, Ward, Lewington (Thomas-Asante 64), B Williams, Brittain (Muirhead 71), Upson, Golbourne, Pawlett, Aneke, Ugbo (Tavernier 79). Unused substitutes: Cisse, Agard, Tymon, Jones.

Doncaster Rovers: Marosi, Blair (Beestin 25), Wright (Butler 74), Baudry, Mason, Houghton, McCullough (Whiteman 46), Coppinger, Rowe, Marquis, Kiwomya. Unused substitutes: Lawlor, Kongolo, May, Boyle.

Referee: N Kinseley (Essex).