Doncaster 1 Tranmere 0: Flynn’s men lay down statement of intent with the title in sight

DONCASTER Rovers edged nearer an instant return to the Championship with a winning goal from captain Rob Jones.

A play-off place is guaranteed, but Doncaster want to not only win automatic promotion but also claim the title after central defender Jones’s eighth goal of the season.

Doncaster’s captain fired home after latching onto defensive partner Jamie McCombe’s header from David Cotterill’s free-kick.

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Delighted Rovers manager Brian Flynn said: “This was going to be a key week and we’ve come out with six points, clean sheets in both games and a thoroughly good performance.

“We were in control, but we didn’t create many chances.

“It was a good second half and Rob Jones finished well – that’s two centre-halves scoring winning goals this week.”

Rovers are seven points clear of third-placed Yeovil and Flynn continued: “I’m very happy with the way we played. It was a good performance all round. It was a great effort from the lads.

“It was our second home game in a week and we said a while ago how important this week was going to be. We beat a good Swindon side on Monday and a good Tranmere side (on Saturday) so we’ve made a statement.

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“We were in control in the first half but we didn’t create any clear cut chances. Kyle Bennett put in a couple of good crosses and David Cotterill had a couple of good shots, but we didn’t step on the gas and raise the game in the final third, which we can do.

“It was a good second half and Rob Jones got the goal finishing off a set play. We get goals from all departments.

“We know how to win games; the key to beating good teams like Tranmere is to not get too frustrated. We stuck to the game plan and kept doing the things we had worked on through the week and it paid off.”

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro had Tranmere’s best chance, heading wide from Andy Robinson’s free-kick late in the first half.

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The visitors stay seventh and Tranmere chief Ronnie Moore says his team now need nine points out of a possible nine to clinch a play-off place.

“Doncaster are a big strong side and we said before the game not to give away too many set plays, but we’ve been done again on the second phase. I don’t know how many times in the last five weeks we’ve been done. That is what has cost us and put us where we are.”

Doncaster Rovers: Woods, Griffin, McCombe, R Jones, Spurr, Cotterill, Furman, Lundstram, Bennett (Paynter 69), Brown, Coppinger. Unused substitutes: Sullivan, Quinn, Husband, Wakefield, Hume, Howieson.

Tranmere Rovers: Fon Williams, Holmes, Gibson, Taylor, McGinty (O’Halloran 74), Bell-Baggie (Thompson 74), Power (Goodison 89), Palmer, Bakayogo, Akpa Akpro, Robinson. Unused substitutes: Mooney, Harrison, Stockton, Kay. Booked: McGinty, Taylor.

Referee: D Coote (Nottinghamshire).

Man of the match: Rob Jones.

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