Blackpool 1 Doncaster Rovers 2: Tommy Rowe's double ensures Rovers are rewarded

Tommy Rowe scored both Doncaster Rovers' goals as they won at Blackpool (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).

A double from midfielder Tommy Rowe, including a clever set-piece routine, lifted Rovers nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Colin Daniel had equalised for Blackpool, but Ferguson said: “It’s a good performance and a thoroughly deserved victory. This is a tough place to come.

“Their goal was a poor one to concede, but we managed to get through it and show a bit of character. Monday (home to Wimbledon) now becomes huge because we would be sitting on 52 points with seven games to go and we would be looking up.”

The first half was bereft of any real quality from either side, but Doncaster went in front two minutes before the break.

A smart team move set up Rowe whose shot from 20 yards was deflected over Blackpool goalkeeper Joe Lumley and into the net.

Gary Bowyer’s side responded after the break, going close when Armand Gnanduillet forced a smart stop from Marko Marosi, before getting the equaliser.

A delightful crossfield ball from Jay Spearing was smartly converted by Daniel.

But Doncaster secured all three points on 70 minutes with a lovely set-piece manoeuvre, as John Marquis tapped sideways for Rowe, who stroked his shot into the bottom corner.

Blackpool: Lumley, Turton, Aimson (Solomon-Otabor, 78), Tilt, Robertson, Daniel, Spearing, Ryan, Longstaff (Menga, 78), Delfouneso (Philliskirk, 45), Gnanduillet. Unused substitutes: Mafoumbi, D’Almeida, Cooke, Agyei

Doncaster Rovers: Marosi, Blair, Wright, Baudry, Mason, McCullough, Houghton, Rowe, Coppinger, Beestin, Marquis.Unused substitutes: Lawlor, Kongolo, Williams, Whiteman, May, Boyle, Ben Khemis.

Referee: Ollie Yates (Staffordshire).