Doncaster 0 Walsall 2: Dickov dismayed by lacklustre showing

“Compared to recent performances over the past six to eight weeks, when we’ve been very good and showed a lot of energy, we looked a little lacklustre,” he said.

“Conceding a poor goal from a set-piece as early as we did always gives you a mountain to climb.

“We got back in it, the goalkeeper has made a save, we had one cleared off the line and I thought we started the second half really well. But when that happens you’ve got to make sure you lock the door at the back and the second goal’s poor.”

Rovers’ first league defeat in eight games came against a confident and competent Walsall outfit.

Rovers, without the injured James Coppinger and Luke McCullough, were caught napping by Jordan Cook’s early goal. The winger cleverly nipped in at the near post to flick home Anthony Forde’s third-minute corner.

Uche Izpeazu hit the post as Rovers piled on the pressure after the restart, but on-loan Manchester City striker Jordy Hiwula’s debut goal ended any hopes of a comeback.

The goal came following a mistake from Reece Wabara, Cook picking out the unmarked Hiwula who headed in via the inside of a post to seal the points and leave Walsall unbeaten on the road in League One since October 21.

Doncaster Rovers: Bywater, Wabara, McCombe, Butler, Stevens, Keegan (Robinson 77), Wellens, Furman (Bennett 46), Forrester, Main (Tyson 46), Ikpeazu. Unused substitutes: Evina, Marosi, Middleton, Lund.

Walsall: O’Donnell, Purkiss, O’Connor, Downing, Taylor, Cain (Flanagan 90), Adam Chambers,Cook, Sawyers (Baxendale 88), Forde, Grimes (Hiwula 66). Unused substitutes: MacGillivray, Preston, Henry, Murphy.

Referee: G Scott (Oxfordshire).