'Exhilarating' Doncaster Rovers handed timely EFL Trophy boost - for second autumn running

It is also having a positive effect this time around.

Rovers - who comfortably beat Grimsby Town and Bradford City in the group stages last season ahead of an emphatic victory over Chesterfield - conjured a timely 4-1 win at Rochdale on Tuesday to advance to the knock-out stages.

It arrived following the club's ghastly 6-1 league defeat at Aaron Collins-inspired MK Dons as Doncaster players started to get back in Grant McCann's good books.

After going behind, Rovers responded in powerhouse fashion at Spotland to triumph thanks to goals from Alfie May, Brandon Hanlan, captain Owen Bailey and Isaac Hutchinson.

A meagre crowd of 645 watched the action unfold in Lancashire, but it proved worth the effort for the travelling supporters who headed across the Pennines.

While some lower-division clubs give little credence to the competition, Rovers are not one of those, with McCann and his assistant Cliff Byrne having consistently spoken of its importance. Their side reached the semi-finals last season.

Assistant boss Byrne said: "At the start, we wanted to secure our place in the next round. I think the level of the performance was terrific at times. It was exhilarating.

"I know we didn’t have many fans in the stadium but the ones that were here I think will appreciate that.

"We showed, particularly during the second-half a lot of calmness in the top end of the pitch, which resulted in the four goals."

Bradford City's glamour EFL Cup quarter-final at Manchester City will be played on Tuesday, December 15 (8pm).