Peterborough United 1 Doncaster Rovers 2: Saunders praise for O’Driscoll as Rovers battle way off bottom

Saunders continued his stunning start as Rovers manager by masterminding his side’s first away win of the season.

Doncaster could have been dead and buried by half-time but they only trailed to a solitary goal from Grant McCann.

It was a different story after the break. Midfielder Brian Stock pulled Rovers level with a 30-yard effort on 59 minutes and substitute Kyle Bennett completed the comeback eight minutes later. The livewire frontman – sent on for Billy Sharp moments earlier – pounced on a dreadful piece of defending from Ryan Bennett.

Saunders has collected seven points from three matches since taking over from Sean O’Driscoll.

“The previous manager did a brilliant job,” said Saunders. “He took the club forward and I imagine every fan will always be grateful for what he achieved.

“But sometimes in this game players can become complacent and the voice of the manager can go in one ear and out of the other.

“I’ve arrived with a different voice and given the lads the belief to go out and win games. Getting off the bottom of the table is a massive boost.

“We will be able to attract new players on the strength of this even though I didn’t think we deserved to win. Peterborough overran us in the first half and we had to fight just to stay in the game.”

Posh opened the scoring after 19 minutes when McCann beat Neil Sullivan with a 25-yard shot.

Sullivan responded with a stunning save from the same player moments later and also denied Emile Sinclair while George Boyd squandered a couple of sitters and Tommy Rowe and Paul Taylor both hit a post.

Peterborough United: Jones, Little, Bennett, Zakuani, Alcock, Frecklington (Kearns 84), McCann, Boyd, Rowe, Taylor (Tunnicliffe 80), Sinclair. Unused substitutes: Lewis, Wootton, Newell.

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, O’Connor, Naylor, Martis, Friend, Coppinger, Gillett, Stock, Oster (Hayter 84), Sharp (Bennett 60), Parkin. Unused substitutes: Ga Woods, Hird, Lalkovic.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Man of the match: Neil Sullivan.