Doncaster Rovers 0 West Ham 1: O’Driscoll ‘gobsmacked’ by Rovers defeat

Hammers captain Nolan volleyed in after just five minutes when meeting a cross to the far post by Jack Collinson.

Nolan nearly scored again in the 18th minute but his chip was tipped onto the crossbar by Rovers goalkeeper Gary Woods.

Although Rovers enjoyed considerable possession, they rarely threatened an equaliser before halftime.

Rovers improved after the break with James Coppinger heading just inches wide during a lengthy spell of pressure.

However, it was a rare scare for the Hammers whose defensive organistaion and solidity proved the key to victory.

Sean O’Driscoll blasted his team, claiming he was “gobsmacked” by their performance.

O’Driscoll fielded an injury-depleted side without the likes of Billy Sharp, but he offered that as no excuse for a defeat that extends their winless league run to 14 games stretching into last season.

“Too many people who think they can play in this division didn’t do the basics well,” he said.

“We said before the game it doesn’t matter if you’re playing West Ham, Real Madrid or Barcelona we know the things we need to do well and which are important. Today they weren’t important to us.

“I’m gobsmacked.”

Doncaster Rovers: Woods; Dumbuya, Naylor, Friend, Spurr; Gillett; Coppinger, Oster, Barnes, Bennett; Brown. Substitutes: Sullivan, Keegan, Baxendale, Hird, Radford.

West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Taylor, Ilunga, O’Brien, Collison, Noble, Parker, Nolan, Piquionne. Substitutes: Cole, Faye, Sears, Stanislas, Boffin.

Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire)

Click on the external link on the right-hand side of the page to launch our Match Centre service, and for the very reports and reaction, read Sports Monday, free inside Monday’s Yorkshire Post.