Doncaster 0 Burnley 2: Jones and Macheda both suffer as Burnley defeat Rovers to reach top

Although the Clarets were promoted to the Premier League in 2009, they never actually reached the second tier’s summit during that ascension and doing so now represents a real achievement for Dyche and his players.

They were given little chance of mounting a serious promotion push in the wake of Charlie Austin’s transfer to QPR, but in the form of Sam Vokes and Danny Ings they have more than replaced his goals.

The pair have now scored 17 between them this season and Vokes’s 45th-minute penalty looked like being the difference in this one until Rob Jones, who gave the spot-kick away, put through his own goal late on to seal it.

In between times Manchester United’s Macheda – with three goals in two games – wasted a fine chance to get Doncaster level and on a night of few opportunities, his side paid the price.

Rovers have looked a different side since Macheda joined them, the Italian displaying an aptitude not always apparent during previous loan spells and he had the first chance of the contest.

He got in down the right-hand side of Burnley’s box and tricked the defence before eventually pulling the trigger, but Tom Heaton blocked the shot with his legs.

As half-time approached, Richie Wellens was caught in possession, Vokes was released into the box and Jones clumsily sent him tumbling. Vokes’s penalty was placed to Ross Turnbull’s right and in.

After the break Macheda missed a chance to level from six yards out and with two minutes left Kieran Trippier’s vicious cross hit a post and rebounded into a packed area before going in off Jones.

Doncaster Rovers: Turnbull, Quinn, Khumalo, Jones, Husband, Coppinger, Wellens, Keegan (Robinson 75), Cotterill (Duffy 59), Macheda, Brown. Unused substitutes: Furman, McCullough, Maxted, Bennett, Wabara.

Burnley: Heaton, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Kightly (Treacy 88), Jones, Edgar, Arfield, Ings (Stock 90),Vokes. Unused substitutes: Lafferty, Stanislas, Cisak, Long, Noble.

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).