DONCASTER Rovers manager Grant McCann has challenged his players to push on next month after his side reached the fifty-point mark for the season with seven games to go following a 1-0 victory over FA Cup quarter-finalists Port Vale at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Rovers signed off a gruelling eight-match spell in 24 days with three points to move up to 15th place in the table - eight points above the side occupying the final relegation slot in League One in Blackpool.

The half-century of points for a season milestone is usually perceived to be enough to clinch safety, in the main, but for his part, McCann is looking at a different table.

Speaking to the media after the game, he said: "You know the 22-game table I talked to you about, we're third in that now.

Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann points the way against Port Vale. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann points the way against Port Vale. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

"It just shows you how big of a shift it is. The players have proved it since I set them that target. The focus has been on that, it really has.

"You keep talking about the 50 points and this and that and the other, but I said to the players if you can finish as high as we can on that (22-game) table, then who knows where we'll be.

"We've still got seven to go, we'll focus game by game. But that was a tough game tonight, they're fighting hard." McCann praised his side's robust defensive qualities en route to the club securing a third league clean sheet in a row for the first time in nearly two years.

The only goal of the game arrived on 22 minutes when a shot from Jamie Sterry was deflected in off Elijah Campbell. McCann, whose side are now five matches unbeaten, continued: "It's another good win. I thought we played some good stuff in the first half.

Doncaster Rovers' Jamie Sterry is congratulated after his shot was turned into his own net by Port Vale defender Elijah Campbell. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

"It probably could have been more than 1-0 up. I thought some of the play in the combination play was good but just didn't shoot enough.

“I was just saying to the players: ‘look, when you get around there, just put the trigger’. The wind was blowing everywhere. The rain was coming down, the pitch was wet and I think when it's wet it's a wee bit better.

"In the second half, we dried up, but we didn't need the score, we just needed to defend well like we did.

"I think we look better defensively for sure and barring the Cardiff game and the Wigan game I think we have been from New Year's Day onwards.

"I think we've been really strong, I think the performances have been good, the results have been good. I think it's been a really good second half of the season up to this point, with still seven to go and we'll look forward to the next one when it comes along.”