Doncaster Rovers 0 Watford 0: Saunders happy at Keepmoat clean sheet

DONCASTER Rovers remain six points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Championship table after this goalless draw against Watford, writes Ian Appleyard.

Dean Saunders’ rapidly changing side enjoyed the better of a dour game but rarely tested Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach.

Striker El-Hadji Diouf, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time since his arrival in South Yorkshire, created the best two opportunities before limping off with a hamstring strain midway through the second half.

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Diouf delivered two excellent balls in the direction of Billy Sharp but the striker was unable to reach and apply the finishing touch.

Rovers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme was tested by Mark Yeates in the first half and a shot from Michael Kightly curled narrowly wide of the far post.

Overall, however, defences were on top in a game between two struggling sides.

“That (the clean sheet) was the pleasing aspect for me because we have been giving away far too many silly goals recently,” said Saunders.

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“I was pleased with the way we reacted after losing at Barnsley last week because we didn’t play well there at all.

“But we came out and had a fight today and looked as if we wanted to win.

“I thought we should have had three points on the balance of play because we got a lot of early balls and crosses into the penalty area but we just could not get the final touch.”

For reaction and big-match report from today’s game, read Sports Monday, free with Monday’s Yorkshire Post newspaper.