Doncaster Rovers 2 Millwall 1: Healy scores winner on debut

DAVID HEALY enjoyed a dream debut as his second-half winner fired Doncaster to victory over npower Championship rivals Millwall.

Healy has joined from Sunderland for an initial month and Rovers hope the 31-year-old can prove to be the ideal replacement for Billy Sharp, currently out with a torn hamstring.

Healy was handed a place in the starting line-up and the Northern Ireland international made an instant impact by striking a 58th-minute winner, two minutes after James Hayter had cancelled out Steve Morison's 11th-minute opener.

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Morison struck in the 11th minute when he latched onto a header by Kevin Lisbie and swept home a right-footed shot from six yards.

In the 50th minute, a teasing free-kick from Stock was greeted by a firm header from Shelton Martis, but his effort flew over the crossbar from 12 yards.

Five minutes later, Rovers were level when Morison fouled Shiels and Joseph Mills crossed from the right flank. Hayter headed into the bottom right-hand corner from six yards out and two minutes later Healy struck with his first goal since February.

The ball fell the former Preston striker 12 yards from goal and he swept the ball home right-footed in clinical fashion.

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Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll also praised Millwall and said he would not have begrudged the visitors a point.

He explained: "We knew how difficult they were going to be. We were under no illusions.

"They've got a good worth ethic plus strength and pace and they made it difficult by getting 10 men behind the ball. When they broke forward they looked like scoring almost every time but we tightened up in the second half and did much better."

Doncaster: Sullivan, O'Connor, Thomas, Martis, Mills, Coppinger (Dumbuya 90), Oster, Hayter, Stock, Shiels (Wilson 85), Healy (Brooker 85). Unused substitutes: Gary Woods, Webster, Hird.

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Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Paul Robinson, Shittu, Barron, Henry (Marquis 72), Abdou, Trotter, Carter (Schofield 64), Morison, Lisbie. Unused substitutes: Mildenhall, Craig, Ward, Laird, Hughes-Mason.

Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).

Man of the match: David Healy.

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