Doncaster 1 Middlesbrough 3: Boro triumph on emotional night for Sharp

Opponents Middlesbrough had joined Rovers in a poignant minute’s applause before kick-off to commemorate the brief life of Sharp’s recently-born baby son Louie, who died at the weekend.

When Sharp put Rovers ahead with a stunning early volley he pointed to the heavens and lifted his shirt to reveal a vest emblazoned with the slogan ‘That’s For You Son.’

But struggling Rovers could not hold onto the lead and finished the night bottom of the Championship table after Middlesbrough scored three times and moved to third in the promotion race.

Sharp’s absence from last weekend’s game against Coventry City had fuelled rumours of a possible transfer amid the wind of change currently breezing through the Keepmoat Stadium.

Although Rovers manager Dean Saunders has publicly expressed a desire to keep Sharp, it is understood that Championship leaders Southampton are now pushing to sign the striker on loan with a view to a permanent £3m deal in the New Year transfer window.

Sharp rejected a move to the Saints this summer after the clubs agreed a fee of £3.25m but was then ruled out for two months by an ankle injury suffered on the opening day of the season.

Rovers are under pressure to reduce their £8m wage bill and Sharp, the club’s record signing, is their highest-paid player.

El-Hadji Diouf’s arrival has already bolstered the attacking options and the Yorkshire Post can reveal that a move is also in the pipeline to bring French striker Marc Antoine-Fortune to the club from West Bromwich Albion, possibly before the weekend.

Sharp returned to action wearing the captain’s armband and was joined in attack by new signing Diouf. Saunders made a total of three changes with Sharp, Diouf and Ryan Mason replacing Kyle Bennett, Giles Barnes and the injured Brian Stock.

Boro supporters had clearly not forgotten or forgiven Diouf for allegedly spitting at one of their supporters seven years ago.

Chants of ‘We Hate Diouf’ rang out from the away end at the kick-off and the Senegal international was jeered every time he touched the ball.

There were just 14 minutes gone when Sharp hit a left-foot volley from the edge of the area that dipped over Boro goalkeeper Jason Steele and sneaked under the crossbar.

Technically, referee Darren Deadman had the option to book Sharp for lifting his shirt in celebration of the goal but, thankfully, common sense prevailed.

Boro improved after Sharp’s goal and began to find cracks in the Rovers’ defence.

Rhys Williams had a weak header saved by Neil Sullivan and Barry Robson fired over the bar.

Their equaliser arrived in the 31st minute and, not for the first time this season, it was a goal that left huge question marks hanging over Rovers’ defending.

Simon Gillett attempted to intercept a pass in midfield but knocked the ball to Boro striker Scott McDonald.

Although McDonald was tripped by Richard Naylor, the referee played an advantage as the ball had rolled to Barry Robson in space on the flank.

With no sign of Pascal Chimbonda, Robson advanced and drilled a low shot past Sullivan from 15 yards.

Diouf, who might normally command wages in the region of £50,000 a week is playing for less than £2,000 a week during his stay with Rovers.

After a bright start, he found it hard to get involved for the rest of the game – and got nothing from the referee when fouled by Boro defenders.

To be fair, Diouf, who was later substituted, was not the only one struggling for Rovers. Gillett was thoroughly out of sorts, Mason was hard to spot, and Stock’s absence was more than evident as passes went astray.

Despite Boro enjoying the upper hand, it looked like the sides would go into the interval on level terms. However, two minutes into added time, Boro substitute Faris Haroun delivered a low centre from the right and Marvin Emnes rolled the ball under Sullivan.

Now 41, the former Scotland international goalkeeper has just landed a new one-year deal with Rovers but should have done better for both Boro goals. The first passed inside his near right-hand post and the second appeared to roll through his grasp.

Boro pushed for a third after the break and it took a vital block from Chimbonda in the goal area to stop McDonald taking advantage of a slip by George Friend.

But having prevented one goal, the former French international – one of three big name but short-term captures by Rovers, conceded a penalty that allowed Robson to score from the spot. Saunders switched Friend to the centre of the park and moved Ilunga back to left-back but it failed to turn things around.

Afterwards, Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray said: “We didn’t know about the situation (regarding Sharp) until Tuesday morning.

“In a strange sort of way, taking professionalism out of it, I was delighted that he scored such a fantastic goal.

“It must have been an emotional drain and he scores a wonder goal. It will stick with him for the rest of his life. But we had to win a football match. He will remember it for a long, long time.”

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; Chimbonda, Naylor, Martis, Friend; Ilunga; Gillett, Mason (Coppinger 59), Hayter (Bennett 59); Diouf (Barnes 73), Sharp. Unused substitutes: Maxted, O’Connor.

Middlesbrough: Steele; McMahon, McManus, Bates, Bennett; Hoyte (Haroun 22), Williams, Bailey (Arca 71), Robson; McDonald, Emnes (Zemmama 84). Unused substitutes: Kink, Ogbeche,.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).