Doncaster disintegrate as Wickham excels for Ipswich

A number of Premier League scouts were reported to be in attendance to watch the highly-rated Wickham, and the 17-year-old did not disappoint, completing his treble from the penalty spot after Rovers defender James O’Connor handled in the final minute. It capped a miserable night for Doncaster, who were largely the architects of their own downfall.

Sam Hird headed into his own net after 25 minutes and another misjudged aerial clearance from the same player allowed Lee Martin to tee up Colin Healy for his first Ipswich goal.

Wickham netted either side of the interval and Gareth McAuley marked his 100th league appearance for Town with a goal.

Former Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul Jewell has now guided Ipswich to four wins in six outings since taking the reins at Portman Road.

By contrast, Doncaster have now lost six in eight, rendering their play-off dreams a distant memory.

Top scorer Billy Sharp missed out for Rovers after sustaining heavily bruised ribs in the weekend defeat to Portsmouth.

Brian Stock was also an injury victim and Matthew Kilgallon dropped to the bench, meaning Joseph Mills, Mark Wilson and Dean Shiels came into Sean O’Driscoll’s starting XI.

Jason Scotland replaced Tamas Priskin in Ipswich’s attack and the visitors took the lead in bizarre fashion. Carlos Edwards’s shot was blocked and diverted skywards, leaving Hird to challenge for the ball with McAuley. The Rovers defender jumped highest, but his header spiralled into his own net.

Hird’s hapless evening continued when he failed to deal with a long ball, leaving Martin time to pick out Healy who slotted in from 12 yards.

Another Doncaster mistake effectively ended the contest three minutes before half-time.

John Oster carelessly conceded possession in his own half, allowing Healy space to line up a rasping 25-yard drive. Gary Woods parried but Wickham was on hand to thump home.

Ipswich’s fourth came after an hour when Woods could only punch Jimmy Bullard’s left-wing corner as far as Wickham, who volleyed in.

McAuley’s header from Bullard’s searching free-kick squirmed past Woods into the bottom corner via the upright and Wickham had the final word with his penalty.

Doncaster Rovers: Gary Woods, Chambers (Thomas 46), O’Connor, Hird, Mills, Oster, Wilson, Keegan, Friend, Shiels (Burge 69), Coppinger. Unused substitutes: Sullivan, Souza, Kilgallon, Webster, Grayson.

Ipswich Town: Fulop, McAuley, Delaney, Leadbitter (Peters 79), Edwards, Healy, Martin (Drury 63), Bullard, Kennedy, Wickham, Scotland (Priskin 77).Unused substitutes: Lee-Barrett, Smith, O’Dea.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).