DONCASTER Rovers boss Grant McCann hailed his man for the 'big occasion' in captain Owen Bailey, whose first-half brace saw the hosts bounce back after successive defeats with a sweet derby victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

Bailey, without a goal since August, arrived right on cue to fire home a double to provide Rovers with a 2-0 interval cushion which was by no means flattering.

Wednesday were better on the restart but Rovers saw the game out to secure a precious three points and registered a first home win over the Owls since March 2014.

McCann, whose side moved up to 17th, said: "I'm pleased for Bails, because he's been unlucky a few times this season with opportunities and goals and stuff like that.

Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann, pictured against Sheffield Wednesday. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann, pictured against Sheffield Wednesday. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

"He loves a big occasion. But I thought the whole team raced through on the run-up to that."

Praising his side's 'aggressive front-foot' first-half derby performance, the Rovers chief added: "I thought it was a good performance.

"I'm really pleased with the lads in the first half. I thought we were aggressive, front foot, playing against a good Sheffield Wednesday team.

"I thought we were deserved winners. I think fine margins has done us (in the past few games). I think at Leicester, we conceded the goal just before half-time.

Doncaster Rovers captain Owen Bailey celebrates opening the scoring against Sheffield Wednesday. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

"I think if we could have got a nil-nil, we'd make a really good account of the second half. Here on Tuesday night, we were so disappointed with the (referee) decision that didn't go our way.

"It was a completely different game. Although they (Stockport) were a really good team, so today we wanted to respond.

"I thought we responded really well. I thought the shape of the team was good and the aggression of the team. We ran forward and we ran back with real intensity.

"From an attacking and a defensive point of view, I'm really, really pleased.

"Once having established that two-goal lead, the goalkeeper had to make some big saves to maintain it into the second half. Tommy (Simkin) is an excellent goalkeeper."