Weston-Super-Mare 1 Doncaster Rovers 4: Main sparks first-half goal glut as Rovers progress smoothly

Paul Dickov’s League One side had the ball in the net in the opening minute through Paul Keegan but referee Tim Robinson ruled the goal out after spotting an infringement in the penalty area.

Main then skewed a shot wide before stabbing in Kyle Bennett’s shot in the 15th minute after the Seagulls failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Weston-super-Mare goalkeeper Luke Purnell saved well from an unmarked Theo Robinson, but after 33 minutes Main turned in the rebound from James Coppinger’s shot. The game was effectively over just before half-time when Coppinger controlled with his chest and sent a glorious volley into the top corner.

The hosts came out fighting after the break – with Ryan Bath and Dayle Grubb going close – but in the 63rd minute Bennett played through Richie Wellens who slotted in Rovers’ fourth to put paid to any hopes of a comeback by the Conference South side. Purnell continued to be peppered in much part down to the lively Main, though the Seagulls got a deserved injury-time consolation through Bristol City loanee Liam Monelle.

“We’ve strung together some really good passing moves in the first half,” said Dickov afterwards.

“We knew we needed to make a fast start to quieten not only Weston’s players but their fans. That’s how it worked out and to go in three-up at half-time was really pleasing.

“After that I felt we got a bit sloppy but you have to give credit to Weston for the way they played in the second half. It was a night when the result was everything.”

Weston-Super-Mare: Purnell, Jordan, Barnes, Fortune, Aaron Brown, McClennan (Teale 80), Mawford, Ash (Monelle 71), Grubb, Jacob Cane, Bath (Harris 71). Unused substitutes: Jackson, Fiddes, Camper, Llewellyn.

Doncaster Rovers: Johnstone, Wabara, Butler, McCullough, Stevens, Keegan (De Val Fernandez 71), Wellens, Coppinger (Forrester 70), Robinson, Main, Bennett (Whitehouse 79). Unused substitutes: Marosi, Tyson, Wakefield, Middleton.

Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex).