Doncaster Rovers: Dickov rues defensive sloppiness in late setback

The game looked destined for a 1-1 draw, with play-off chasing Rovers producing a much-improved display to Saturday’s lame Keepmoat reverse to Peterborough United.

But Swindon, chasing a top-two spot, cashed in on defensive uncertainty in stoppage-time with substitute Jonathan Obika - a target for Rovers last summer - afforded space in the box before clinically stroking the ball past Stephen Bywater.

The scoreline was harsh on Rovers, who led through Curtis Main’s tenth goal of the season shortly before half-time and delivered a vibrant showing for much of the second half.

But a soft penalty conceded by Dean Furman, who bundled over Jay Gladwin, was emphatically converted by Michael Smith on 54 minutes and Obika had the decisive say at the death as the Wiltshire outfit claimed their first-ever win in Doncaster.

Dickov, hoping that James Coppinger will be fit enough to return for Saturday’s trip to Coventry, said: “I thought at one-all, especially towards the last fifteen minutes, that we were going to go on and win the game.

“We possibly would have been slightly disappointed with a point.

“But when you are in that sort of game, you have to make sure for the full ninety-three minutes that you concentrate defensively.

“We switched off we paid for it.”

Rovers have now picked up just two points from a possible 12 available in March and are now residing in 12th place, four points behind sixth-placed Barnsley.