Doncaster Rovers 3 Norwich City 1: Coppinger treble ends Rovers' City hoodoo

Rovers have recorded just one win against the Canaries in 10 previous meetings – back in 1935 – but midfielder Coppinger clipped the visitors' wings with a stunning opener in the first half and two more in the second period. Norwich had only one brief spell around the hour mark when they threatened to get back in the game following Russell Martin's brave header.

But Doncaster were already two-up by then and made sure of their third league win when Coppinger's 86th-minute free-kick flew in via a deflection.

Doncaster, who recalled Mustapha Dumbuya and Mark Wilson to the starting line-up, took the game to Norwich in the opening stages and were rewarded for their early pressure in the 14th minute. Coppinger collected the ball 30 yards from goal and thumped a rising, right-footed drive into the top corner with Ruddy well beaten.

Rovers midfielder Simon Gillett twice tried his luck from outside the area, another screamer from the outstanding Coppinger had Ruddy at full stretch again and two typical strikes from Billy Sharp were also saved.

Doncaster doubled their lead five minutes after the restart when the ball fell to Coppinger six yards out and the Rovers midfielder swept the ball left-footed into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later Norwich striker Martin forced Neil Sullivan into a fine save before reducing the deficit in the 64th minute as defender Russell Martin flung himself headlong to divert the ball past Sullivan.

Coppinger made sure of the spoils in the 86th minute.

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, Dumbuya, O'Connor, Martis, Friend, Coppinger, Oster (Stock 72), Wilson, Gillett (Shiels 77), Martin Woods, Sharp (Hird 87). Unused: Gary Woods, Lockwood, Fairhurst, Mason.

Norwich City: Ruddy, Russell Martin, Ward, Barnett, Drury, Crofts, McNamee, Hoolahan, Korey Smith (Hughes 86), Chris Martin, Holt (Johnson 80). Unused: Rudd, Jackson, Lappin, Berthel Askou, Fox.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).