Doncaster Rovers 1 Rochdale 1: Rovers fail to hold on after Bennett’s strike

His controlled finish from inside the area gave the hosts the breakthrough, but Rochdale battled back after half-time and Ian Henderson converted Michael Rose’s cross to restore parity and ultimately earn a draw.

Rovers were much more impressive than their hosts in the first half in attack but were lacking composure in defence.

Unmarked Henderson headed wide from the game’s first opportunity from Rose’s centre.

Doncaster took the lead on 17 minutes when Bennett swept in Wabara’s right-wing cross with aplomb.

The visitors appealed for offside, but after a lengthy consultation between referee Gavin Ward and his linesman, who had flagged, the goal was given. Rochdale responded well and Stephen Bywater produced a brilliant save to keep out Rose.

After another fine block by Bywater, Henderson netted the rebound but was offside.

Rochdale probed after the restart and were level just before the hour when some indifferent marking allowed Henderson to flick home Rose’s left-wing cross.

Rochdale’s formal Barnsley manager Keith Hill, commenting on Doncaster’s goal, said: “I am going to talk to the referee because their player was in an offside position – he stops our goalkeeper from diving. I don’t know how they’ve actually come to the conclusion that he’s not interfered with play.”

Doncaster Rovers: Bywater, Wabara, McCombe, Butler, Stevens, Coppinger, Furman (Forrester 73), Wellens, Bennett, Main (Clarke-Harris 67), Tyson (Mandeville 80). Unused substitutes: Evina, Jones, Marosi, Middleton.

Rochdale: Jones, Cannon, Eastham, Kennedy, Rafferty (Camps 54), Bennett,Rose, Vincenti, Allen, Joel Logan (Andrew 67), Henderson. Unused substitutes: Lillis, Brandy, Noble-Lazarus, Hery, Bunney.

Referee: G Ward (Surrey).