Video - Doncaster 1 Peterborough 2: Calamity for Rovers as they head into drop zone

JUST when you thought that life could not get any worse for Doncaster Rovers, it punishingly did on Saturday tea-time.
James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).
James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).

Some grievous wounds have been inflicted upon the besieged League One outfit of late, but the wretched stoppage-time denouement administered at the Keepmoat surpassed the lot.

A vat of salt was applied courtesy of a self-inflicted laceration with Thorsten Stuckmann suffering the sort of grave, calamitous moment that all goalkeepers go through from time to time, but simply dread.

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His woeful stoppage-time miscalculation ensured Peterborough, listing along with Rovers ahead of kick-off, plundered three points, courtesy of a first senior goal from villain turned hero Ricardo Santos. Seasonal fortunes can be defined by such things.

James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).
James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).

In the words of Mark Twain, there are lies, damned lies and statistics.

Rovers have not won a league game since January 2, are without a home win this year and are winless in 12 league matches. They have taken three points from a possible 36, have lost five games on the spin and nine of their last 10 outings.

The word you are looking for is freefall.

Darren Ferguson probably did not know whether to laugh or cry after the bitter late events, against his former club to boot, given that his side produced their best display in several weeks.

James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).
James Coppinger, second left, is congratulated by Doncaster Rovers team-mates after scoring the opening goal against Peterborough on his return from injury (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).
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The tempo and endeavour that he was beseeching from his side, he largely got on an afternoon when Rovers did more than enough to merit three points, only for a desperate sting in the tail to floor them in a defeat which was far more painful than the 4-0 setback in the reverse fixture in the Fens.

It leaves Rovers on the precipice and in the relegation positions for the first time since late October ahead of monumental Easter six-pointers with fellow strugglers Colchester United and Blackpool. Fasten your seatbelts.

On another torrid afternoon and the extension of Rovers’ debilitating winless streak, manager Ferguson said: “I have to make sure that I stay strong and the players see that.

“What is happening is not nice, it’s horrible and never leaves your head. No matter what you are doing; I could be out in the garden playing with the kids and it will be there. It’s not going to go away

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“I have got to be strong and, mentally, I think I am a very strong person and the players see that and have got to maintain that. As everyone does and I think that’s important.

“It was nice to see everyone stuck with us. The fan aren’t going to be happy, but they stuck with us and that’s key.”

Developments at the start, as opposed to the end, were far more pleasurable for Ferguson, with his side conjuring a milestone opener from a player who if Rovers are going to stave off the drop, is more than likely going to play a leading part in James Coppinger.

The fit-again captain has scored some crucial goals for the club and Saturday’s was right up there, with the 35-year-old backing up well to steer home a fifth-minute opener after good work by Cameron Stewart and Andy Williams, with the latter robbing dithering defender Santos close to the byline before teeing up Coppinger.

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It represented the first time that Rovers had scored first in a home game since November 24, but it was not the precursor to that rarest of beasts for the club, an interval lead.

Posh rallied with impressive winger Marcus Maddison at the heart of everything and got their rewards just before the break.

Jon Taylor, Harry Beautyman and Gabriel Zakuani had spurned decent chances before Aaron Williams restored parity, tapping home at the far post following a precision cross from Maddison, with Rovers statuesque defence and Stuckmann switching off.

Rovers had moments of their own with Coppinger almost restoring their advantage with a scorching shot and an unlikely source in Cedric Evina going close and they proceeded to dictate most of the play on the restart.

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In comparison to the first period, Peterborough were rather more cynical and industrial in their approach, so much so that Zakuani and Erhun Oztumer – both on bookings – were taken off to save themselves from being dismissed.

Zakuani should have seen red after clattering Nathan Tyson with an awful challenge but he survived and so did Posh.

Ben Alnwick had to be alert to beat away Stewart’s far-post header and also denied Tyson as he homed in on goal, with Andy Williams also heading over an excellent chance.

Rovers looked the most likely, only for Posh to steal it at the death with Stuckmann caught in no-man’s land following Maddison’s cross and after Aaron Williams hit the post, Santos netted the rebound – the prelude to wild celebrations.

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Ferguson added: “I have got to look at what the positives of the game were. Everyone will agree we didn’t deserve to lose the game, never mind draw it, we should have won it. I have to look at what I can concentrate on.”

Doncaster Rovers: Stuckmann; Taylor-Sinclair, Alcock, Butler, Evina; Coppinger, McCullough, Middleton (Rowe 46), Stewart (Calder 90); Andy Williams, Tyson. Unused substitutes: Jones, MacKenzie, Mandeville, Chaplow, Keegan.

Peterborough United: Alnwick; Santos, Zakuani (Fox 60), Bostwick, Smith; Oztumer (Samuelsen 71), Forrester, Beautyman; Taylor (Coulthirst 67); Maddison; Aaron Williams. Unused substitute: Angol.

Referee: S Stockbridge (Tyne and Wear).