Stevenage Borough 1 Doncaster Rovers 2: Jones leads from front as Rovers break record

CENTRAL defender Rob Jones could hardly have made a better start to his stint as joint caretaker manager as Doncaster Rovers made it 12 away league games unbeaten, breaking a club record that has stood since 1947.

Jones scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Rovers came from behind to beat Stevenage and ensured they remained level on points with League One leaders Tranmere Rovers.

Fellow caretaker Brian Flynn enthused: “From start to finish the performance was very good, and the finish was exceptional.

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“To end the game in such a manner was credit to the players. Their fitness levels are fantastic and that showed towards the end of the game.

“It’s another record and I am pleased to be involved with that. They are a good bunch, they’ve been a credit this week to work with and they will get better as well.”

Rovers, who lost manager Dean Saunders to Wolves last week, went behind when James Dunne fired a stunning 25-yard volley into the top corner of the net.

Iain Hume drew Rovers level when he shot in from close range on 79 minutes and Jones headed home four minutes into stoppage time to earn an unlikely win.

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Flynn and Jones had sent out a ‘carry on as you were’ message to the squad against play-off challengers Stevenage.

The early exchanges certainly saw a continuation of Rovers’ successful away formula, with them happy to sit back and contain.

Hume, however, still had a one-on-one with goalkeeper Steve Arnold but failed to beat him.

The first half ended goalless but Bennett wasted an opportunity to slide a penetrative ball through to David Syers as the game instantly showed signs of opening up following the restart.

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However, the hosts struck from a corner which was headed to the edge of the box where Dunne connected with a thunderous volley that rocketed past Woods into the roof of the net.

James Coppinger immediately came on for his 300th league appearance, to replace Bennett as Rovers looked to hit back.

Coppinger’s chip over the top saw Syers having his shot blocked by the impressive Arnold only for Hume to be on hand to lash home the rebound.

Rovers searched for the winner and Syers missed a gilt-edged opportunity in stoppage time before Jones struck from David Cotterill’s corner to take Rovers to 53 points from 27 games.

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Stevenage Borough: Arnold, Gray, Charles, Comminges (N’Gala 84), Roberts, Akins, Tansey (Morais 82), Grant, Dunne, Haber, Beleck (Hoskins 67). Unused substitutes: Day, Hills, Freeman, Ball.

Doncaster Rovers: Gary Woods, Quinn, Rob Jones, McCombe, Spurr, Syers, Cotterill, Keegan (Harper 55), Bennett (Coppinger 67), Brown, Hume. Unused substitutes: Maxted, Martis, Blake, Sinclair, Griffin.

Referee: C Sarginson (Staffordshire).

Man of the match: Steve Arnold.

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