Darren Moore: The stage was set for James Coppinger

The club legend, 40, on as a late substitute, scored a brilliant strike to draw Rovers level in an enthralling 3-3 draw against Hull City on Grant McCann's first return to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Rovers were playing in a special commemorative gold third kit designed by the Rovers veteran - in his 17th year at the club - and his young sons.

The shirt also promoted CALM – the Campaign Against Living Miserably – a movement to take a stand against suicide.

On the impact of Coppinger, who made his return from calf injury, Moore - whose side ended a three-match losing streak and denied a promotion rival from gaining three points - said: "For the day, occasion, player and the moment, it was fitting for Copps to score with a well-struck free-kick.

"It was really, really excellent and we were massively delighted for him and if there was someone for the occasion, it was certainly him.

"The moment did not overawe him, he kept his composure and calmness and took the free kick and executed it excellently. It was a great point for us.

"For the fans to see it online and not be here for that moment will be gut-wrenching, really. But for Copps, I am pleased for him. He has still got a lot of football.

"We had a chat in the morning about how he felt and he is as hungry as anything and there is a lot of football to come from him this season.

"He illustrated that this morning and I had no hesitation in involving him in the squad and when the moment ticked on the way it did, if we needed somebody of class and brilliance that the ball was going to drop to in the final few minutes, he was somebody I wanted to get on the pitch and we are very thankful that it did happen that way."

On a see-saw afternoon, which saw Rovers trail 3-1 at the break - with old boy Mallik Wilks netting twice for Hull - but earn a point thanks to a penalty and first goal for the club from Omar Bogle and Coppinger's moment of class, Moore added: "We came in at half-time and spoke as a group and despite us being 3-1 down, the players were saying that they thought that they (Hull) were having more problems than we had because we had just as many chances as they did.

"It felt it was a game for John Bostock to get his foot on the ball as they dropped off into two banks of four with a mid-block and allowed us to build on the pitch. John was able to orchestrate things more.

"We got the goal back and I was pleased for Omar as I wanted to get him on the scoresheet and it was great to see him score and it was teed up for a grandstand finale.

"The players showed tremendous character and I said at half-time we'd been here before this season and knew the character, determination and spirit needed to get back in the game."