Taylor Richards double leaves Doncaster Rovers to ponder what might have been

On target:
Doncaster's Taylor Richards watches his shot go into the net. Picture: Howard Roe. — On target: Doncaster's Taylor Richards watches his shot go into the net. Picture: Howard Roe.

DELIGHTED Doncaster interim manager Andy Butler saluted his battling side as they condemned misfiring Rochdale to relegation.

A brilliant brace from Taylor Richards did the business as Rovers secured their first win for four matches.

Defeat for Dale was understandably hard, especially because winger Matt Done gave them a glimmer of hope of taking their fight to the last game of the season with his late goal.

“It’s a shame we didn’t spoil a few more parties earlier on in the year,” stressed Butler. “We just need to go out there and play the game. There’s nothing more we can do. If it spoils the party then it spoils the party.

“Let’s finish the season on a high. Let’s finish with two more wins and finish the season with momentum for the next one.”

Rovers, who had been in the play-off hunt before former manager Darren Moore departed for Sheffield Wednesday, take on Blackpool at Bloomfield Road tomorrow night and host Peterborough on Sunday.

“It’s frustrating to not get into the play-offs but that’s the past now and there’s nothing we can do about it,” added Butler.

Richards fired Rovers ahead on the half-hour mark with a smart finish from Jason Lokilo’s cross.

Richards bagged his second – and third goal in two games – just before the half mark with a sweet finish from an acute angle.

Goalkeeper Louis Jones kept out a snapshot from substitute Stephen Humphrys, but Done slotted home with seven minutes left to give Dale hope.

Rochdale: Lynch, Morley (Newby 78), O’Connell, Osho, McLaughlin (Humphrys 65), Lund (Dooley 64), Rathbone, Grant (Baah 64), Keohane, Beeley, Done. Unused substitutes: Baznu, McNulty, Shaughnessy.

Doncaster Rovers: Jones, Wright, Anderson, Butler, Horton, Lokilo (Coppinger 66), Smith (Greaves 88), James, Richards (Sims 67), John-Jules (Bogle 66), Okenabirhie (Bostock 81). Unused substitutes: Amos, Bottomley.

Referee: S Stockbridge (Tyne & Wear)

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