Doncaster Rovers 0 Salford City 3: Matt Smith scores hat-trick as Rovers fall victim to clinical edge

The hosts had the better of the attacking play but Neil Wood’s side, and Smith in particular, were clinical with the few clear-cut opportunities they had to secure a first victory in four matches.

It took just two minutes for Salford to open the scoring when Smith sent a header into the ground and in off the crossbar.

Doncaster – looking for a fifth consecutive home win – pushed for an equaliser and Harrison Biggins’ audacious chip was kept out by the fingertips of Alex Cairns.

Smith doubled the visitors’ lead in the 26th minute with a trademark header as he powered home from an Ethan Ingram cross.

Joe Ironside looked to have pulled a goal back for Rovers in the second half but his header was ruled out for offside, while Zain Westbrooke and Luke Molyneux both hit the bar.

Smith completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute as he pounced to slot in after substitute Kelly M’Nai was denied by Louis Jones.