GRANT McCANN has ordered a number of his Doncaster Rovers players to take the 'safety catch' off and warned them of the consequences if they don’t - with the January transfer window approaching.

At a venue when Doncaster had won on their last four visits in all competitions and not lost since November 1997, the visitors produced a mixed bag of a performance, with their strongest and most purposeful spell arriving in the final quarter after a comical own goal put Lincoln ahead for a second time.

Rovers pushed late on and went close to an equaliser. But while there was a case to suggest that his side arguably deserved a point on the balance of play, McCann was not in the mood to luxuriate at their late rally.

While absolving Luke Molyneux and Jordan Gibson from criticism, alongside goalscoring substitute Brandon Hanlan, the Rovers chief felt too many other players underperformed, especially their creative ones.

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann applauds the fans after the final whistle of the Sky Bet League One match at the LNER Stadium, Lincoln. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann applauds the fans after the final whistle of the Sky Bet League One match at the LNER Stadium, Lincoln. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.

For him, it was a frustrating afternoon. In stark contrast to his previous visit to Sincil Bank in April 2021 when his Hull City side secured the third-tier title.

McCann, whose Rovers side last won at league level on September 6, said: "Luke and Gibbo were really good. They were very good in terms of taking the ball, beating people and creating opportunities.

"We need the others to get the safety catch off. There's too many playing that aren't at this moment in time.

"It's why we're losing games. It's easy to play like we did when you are 2-1 down. It is easy to show that type of grit and determination in the last 20 minutes and keep pushing. I want the team to do that from the start.

Doncaster Rovers' Conor O'Riordan (centre) and Lincoln City's Frankie Okoronkwo (right) battle for the ball during the Sky Bet League One match at the LNER Stadium, Lincoln. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.

"Look, we're a few months away from January. If I don't see an upturn in people getting to the levels that we expect, then there'll be certain changes.

"I'd rather lose a game being brave than being safe. I think our football club and our fans would prefer that as well.

"We were a little bit too safe at times. We took too many things on in the first half where we could take a touch and pass it. We're not that type of team.

"We're not a team that hooks things on. There's plenty in League One who do, but we're not one of them. I'd rather my team put their foot on the ball and play. It's frustrating, it's really frustrating at this moment in time."

McCann was critical of the defending both out wide and in the box for Frankie Okoronkwo's opener for the Imps and was scathing about what happened in the build-up to the hosts' second goal, which he labelled as a 'comedy show.'

The sight of substitute Brandon Hanlan breaking his league duck for the club after netting in the EFL Trophy in midweek at least provided a genuine positive.

"I was pleased for Brandon, he'll be really pleased with his 35 minutes' work there," McCann observed.

"Because he definitely made a huge impact when he came on."

Rovers, who have not won on the road in the league since August 23, visit sixth-placed Stevenage next weekend.