Fulham 2 Doncaster 1: Robinson’s missed penalty proves costly as Doncaster’s journey ends

First-half crackers from Bryan Ruiz and Dan Burn were enough to secure only a second win of the season for the Sky Bet Championship’s bottom club – the first also coming in this competition – and send them into round four.

They still had to survive a second-half scare, though, as James Coppinger pulled one back before substitute Theo Robinson missed a late penalty.

The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute.

Former Leeds striker Ross McCormack had already forced Rovers goalkeeper Jed Steer to save with his legs after just 30 seconds as the hosts made a bright start. And Ruiz struck the first blow when he latched onto Hugo Rodallega’s knock-down and drove in a first-time shot from 15 yards.

League One Rovers had their chances in the first half with Cedric Evina curling a free-kick narrowly wide and Dean Furman seeing his shot deflected over.

But centre-half Burn grabbed Fulham’s second in the 31st minute when he took his 6ft 7in frame to the far post and nodded in McCormack’s cross.

The visitors pulled one back on the hour when captain Coppinger jinked his way into the box and hit an angled drive past goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

And they were gifted the chance to equalise 12 minutes from time when Tim Hoogland handled Robinson’s header, but Bettinelli guessed correctly to keep out Robinson’s penalty.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Hoogland, Bodurov, Burn, Amorebieta (Kavanagh 70), Christensen, Hyndman, Ruiz (George Williams 81), Stafylidis (Parker 72), McCormack, Rodallega. Unused substitutes: Kiraly, Roberts, Woodrow, David.

Doncaster: Steer, Wakefield (McCombe 89), Wabara, McCullough, Evina, Wellens (Robinson 46), Keegan, Coppinger, Furman, Bennett (Forrester 46), Tyson. Unused substitutes: Marosi, De Val Fernandez, Askins, Ferguson.

Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).