"I could smell goals": Doncaster Rovers marksman Billy Sharp on a new milestone at 39 - and chasing another

His first ever Doncaster Rovers 'hat-trick' - he left the Eco-Power Stadium with the match-ball on Tuesday night after Rovers' thumping 5-1 EFL Trophy win over Chesterfield - was still waiting to be confirmed, but the man himself was in no doubt after his late effort.

Speaking immediately afterwards, Sharp, whose previous treble in England was for Sheffield United at Aston Villa in February 2019, said: "It was a bit of a deflection, but it's gone down as Moles' (Luke Molyneux's) goal hasn't it?

"It's not Moles, I think it was off Chey Dunkley, but it was on target so I've spoken to the referee and I'm sure by the time I get home, it'll have got changed."

You had to go back almost exactly 20 years for his previous goal in the Football League Trophy in its many guises, for Scunthorpe United against Halifax. For Sharp, the leading EFL scorer this century, the number which is inching closer is 300 career goals.

He is currently eight away and yes, he is counting. As is his father Steve, who chronicles all his scoring feats and was there on Tuesday.

On it being his first strike in this competition since December 2005, Sharp quipped: "Don't start that, my dad should have told me that. He's probably forgotten the name of the competition, that's why.

"How many times has it changed since then? I don't even know what he was called back then.

"I'm delighted, It was my first hat-trick for Doncaster as well; it took me long enough, but it was nice to get the goals."

The crowd may have been small, but for Sharp, the sense of satisfaction was strong.

More especially after his opener, a brilliant long-range strike. It arrived not long after Chesterfield fans had been berating him.

Not for the first time against opponents, Sharp had the last laugh and then strode over in their direction and pointed his finger to his mouth to beckon quiet. It sets things up nicely for Saturday.

He continued: "There weren't many of them, but they were still giving me stick which I'm not sure why.

"I scored one similar for Sheffield United against Shrewsbury away, I don't know, about nine years ago but I think that was a little bit further out and I think he hit it a little bit harder.

"It's not like me, but I knew as soon as I hit it, I caught it sweet and it was obviously fading away from the keeper, so it was nice to see it go in. "I could smell goals and obviously I got fortunate with the last one.

"I played a few times in the competition last season, but this was my first time this season.

"But I love playing football, There were not many fans here and I didn't have many family or friends here either, so I'll keep them away now. My dad was here obviously..."