Taylor Richards pleased to do his bit for Doncaster Rovers in Rochdale success

Saturday’s brace took the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee’s tally for the season to 11 and means he has scored three in his last two appearances following a midweek equaliser at Peterborough United.

And the 20-year-old attacking midfielder said he was pleased to be able to do his bit following a spell where neither he nor Rovers were playing their best football.

“This week has been good, but I just feel like some of my performances that I put in before were not to my standard,” he reflected.

“So I’m just trying to get back to helping the team as much as I can.

“It was good to get the three points, but obviously we are disappointed with how the season has ended for us. We are just trying to put things right by putting in a good performance these last [few] games.”

Richards broke the deadlock after half an hour when he took a clever touch to control Jason Lokilo’s right-wing cross before calmly beating Jay Lynch at his near post.

The 20-year old struck again 10 minutes into the second half, slotting a confident first-time finish beyond the advancing Lynch having been slid through on goal by Tyreece John-Jules.

Rochdale’s Matt Done smashed in from close range to reduce the deficit late on, though there was to be no salvation for the struggling hosts, whose relegation was confirmed by Saturday’s result.

Meanwhile, Rovers’ slim hopes of climbing back into the play-offs were extinguished despite them leaving Spotland with maximum points.

Seemingly a shoe-in for the top-six not so long ago, Portsmouth’s win at AFC Wimbledon means that Andy Butler’s men can’t finish any higher than eighth position now, even if they win both of their remaining two fixtures.

“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,” Doncaster’s interim manager said.

“It’s frustrating and disappointing, but at the same time let’s finish the season on a high.”