Preston NE 0 Doncaster Rovers 2: O'Driscoll demands more from Rovers

Rovers are known throughout the division for their passing game and, although they had more than enough quality to beat Preston, O'Driscoll was still unhappy with some aspects of their display.

"We can pass the ball better but our organisation and discipline were first class," he said.

"We started the game well and I thought we were good in possession. All the things we needed to do in the Championship we did; the secret is to do that in all 46 games."

Preston manager Darren Ferguson pointed the finger at his side's poor finishing.

First-half goals from James O'Connor and James Hayter put North End to bed at Deepdale, as the Lilywhites laboured in front of goal.

Rovers' victory was soured by the 78th-minute dismissal of debutant midfielder Simon Gillett.

O'Connor opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he finished off a fine move down the left flank with a fierce right-foot strike across home goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and into the bottom left-hand corner.

O'Driscoll had handed debuts to summer signings George Friend and Gillett and the duo helped the visitors dominate the opening exchanges and it came as no surprise when they added their second goal in the 18th minute. Friend crossed and club record signing Billy Sharp greeted his delivery with a firm header. Lonergan made a parried save but Hayter nodded in the rebound from 12 yards.

Five bookings in the first half, three for Preston, summed up the frustrations of the home side and Chris Brown also earned a fourth yellow card for the hosts shortly after the restart.

Doncaster's defence continued to hold firm even after losing Gillett to a second bookable offence with 12 minutes left.

Preston North End: Lonergan, Gray, Morgan, Jones, Davidson, Mayor, James, Russell (Coutts 54), Treacy, Chris Brown, Hayes (King 70). Unused substitutes: Arestidou, Barton, Parry, McLaughlin, Wright. Booked: Gray, Russell, Davidson, Chris Brown.

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, Friend, Martis, Lockwood, O'Connor, Coppinger (Shiels 73), Stock, Martin Woods, Gillett, Sharp (Hird 90), Hayter (Brooker 90). Unused substitutes: Gary Woods, Payne, Dumbuya, Fairhurst.

Referee: S Tanner (Somerset).

Man of the match: Billy Sharp.

Welcome to the Yorkshire Post's exciting match-day service, called Match Centre. Here you will find minute-by-minute updates, stats and team formations. Plus reports from every game in England, from the Premier League down to the Blue Square Premier.

Simply select your game from the pull down menu, then click on the 'i' information button on the right of the fixture and it will give you access to everything you need to know about your team.

So if you can't make it to a game, head for the Match Centre and we will give you the best seat in the house. Click the link below.

For the latest team news, score and commentary from your team check out our new Match Centre