Doncaster Rovers 3 Wigan Athletic 3: Hosts surrender three-goal lead in devastating fashion

Francis Okoronkwo opened the scoring after just seven minutes and the lead was doubled by Jay McGrath. Harry Clifton notched the third shortly after the restart, getting fans reaching for the party hats and confetti cannons.

However, the champagne was put on ice when Wigan battled back with goals from Joe Taylor and Callum Wright.

It was put firmly back in the drawer in the 87th minute, when Owen Moxon's header salvaged a point for the visitors.

Deliveries into the box were the source of Wigan’s second and third goals, a fact that will most likely prompt a post-match inquest into Doncaster’s defending.

First half

Those in attendance did not have to wait for the game to spring into life, instead watching both sides try to strike early.

Doncaster were the first to apply pressure but two separate lapses in concentration soon handed chances to Wigan.

Harrison Bettoni started a run from deep that was simply not picked up on and managed to latch on to a defence-splitting ball. He rounded Zander Clark and Doncaster had to be rescued by a stunning goalline block from Jay McGrath.

Jamie Sterry then had his pocket picked by Raphael Borges Rodrigues, who could only manage to send his shot straight at Clark between the sticks.

Having survived back-to-back scares, Doncaster returned to the ascendency and opened the scoring with just seven minutes on the clock. Luke Molyneux’s shot was only cleared as far as Okoronkwo, who gave Sam Tickle no chance as he blasted into the roof of the net to open his Doncaster account.

Doncaster refused to loosen their grip on the game and commenced a hunt for a second. They wasted little time getting one, doubling their advantage through McGrath.

The centre-back climbed to meet a Molyneux free-kick delivery and powered towards the bottom corner, seeing the ball find the net with the help of a Tickle fumble.

Even as chances dried up, the hosts remained in control and did not appear troubled by a disjointed Wigan.

There was a fluidity to Doncaster the visitors could just not emulate and frustration was etched up on the faces of the Latics.

Okoronkwo was linking play incredibly effectively and his vibrancy meant he was on the receiving end of a fair few kicks.

A lengthy stoppage to allow Joe Taylor to receive treatment slowed the pace of the affair as the half-time whistle approached but when it arrived, Doncaster’s hands were still the ones on the wheel.

Wigan had even come close to leaking a third in added time, when Molyneux was thwarted by Tickle.

Second half

Wigan cracked under the weight of pressure again just four minutes into the second half, gifting Doncaster their third.

Aimson made a bizarre attempt to clear with his head with the ball incredibly close to the floor, inadvertently pushing into the path of Clifton. The latter could not believe his luck and hammered home a third under little pressure.

Wigan looked to be fading but gave their weary travelling fans something to celebrate just before the hour mark. Taylor, who has been loaned to the Latics by Huddersfield Town, curled home a stunner to reduce the deficit.

Instead of sitting back and allowing the tide to turn, Doncaster got back on the offensive. George Broadbent came close to notching a fourth for the hosts, only to see Tickle produce an impressive stop.

However, the hosts could not prevent the visitors raising hopes of a comeback. A delivery wreaked havoc in the Doncaster box and Wright was alert enough to prod home a second for Wigan.

The two-goal advantage was almost restored immediately, when Doncaster marched forward on the counter-attack. Clifton broke away and had Brandon Hanlan peeling away to his left, but was denied by Tickle after deciding to go it alone.

Veteran marksman Billy Sharp was among those introduced late on and the 39-year-old looked to relieve pressure on his side. He picked up the ball near the halfway line and charged forward with gusto but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Wigan then broke Doncaster hearts late on, riding the wave of momentum and grabbing a third. The hosts failed to deal with a delivery into the box and Owen Moxon managed to head past Clark.

There was nearly another twist when Jack Senior popped up at the other end of the pitch, only to see Tickle palm his shot wide.