Doncaster stop the rut after edging out Shrewsbury

Rovers earn a first league win in seven, grinding out a narrow victory over fellow-strugglers.

As the lights go out on the Keepmoat Stadium for the last time, has the flame been lit for Doncaster’s survival campaign? Shrewsbury’s dismal away records drags on as they move to 12 without an away league win - their worst away run of form since 2000.

The last meeting between the two strugglers came in April 2021 where Doncaster ran out 2-0 winners at the New Meadow. Both sides were out to amend their late midweek defeats after losing to Wigan and Oxford respectively.

Rovers caretaker manager, Gary McSheffrey, made three changes from Tuesday. Jordy Hiwula, Joe Dodoo and Joseph Olowu made returns to the starting 11. Whilst Shrewsbury opted for one change; injured top-scorer Ryan Bowman was replaced by Rekeil Pyke.

Opportunites came few and far between in the opening 10 minutes of this relegation nail-biter. Rovers’ initiative to control the game with the ball almost proved fruitful. A slick-passing move ended with Man Utd loanee, Ethan Galbraith, blazing over from the edge of area.

Doncaster came inches from taking the lead with the best chance of the game. Hiwula was expertly threaded in with the goal gaping. From six-yards out, he rolled it past Marko Marosi only to find Leahy steaming in to clear it off the line.

Momentum stayed with McSheffrey’s foster side as Matt Smith scooped into the Doncaster top-scorer, Tommy Rowe’s path but his prodded effort was tipped over by the Shrews and ex-Doncaster ‘keeper. The resultant delivery was glanced wide by Dodoo .

The first-half ended in the way most predicted, goalless. Both sides severely lacking in chance creation and attacking prowess. At times, Doncaster moved the ball well, but could’t find the final pass. Bowman’s absence certainly did not help matters for Town. Each sides respective rank of 24th and 23rd in open play xG was telling.

Entertainment in the second-half was provided by Rovers assistant manager, Frank Sinclair. A battle of who could complain the most between Steve Cotterill and himself continued throughout. You’ll be glad to know Sinclair remains as energetic in the technical area as he was in the box as a player.

On the hour-mark as the tide began to turn in the favour of the visitors, Matthew Pennington came closest for Shrewsbury. A lofted cross was met by Pennington who directed his header downwards but was held by Marosi.

Roared on by the Doncaster faithful, substitute Aidan Barlow broke away on the half-way line. With options to his left and right he held onto the ball for too long and ran into a thankful Leahy. It epitomised Rovers’ indecisiveness in the final third.

A mix-up at the back from Donny’s centre-back pairing allowed Town player of the month, Daniel Udoh to carve a header out of nothing. Alert to the danger, Louis Jones rushed out with his arms and legs sprawled to deny Udoh and Salop a crucial lead in the game.

Shrewsbury came knocking again minutes later. Nathanael Ogbeta drilled a delivery into the area that bypassed Udoh and trickled wide of the far-post.

As it always is, Doncaster found the breakthrough against the run of play. Rowe’s corner was sent into a penalty area that resembled the rush-hour tube. It was the returning Olowu that made his way onto the train first, nodding home.

The Yorkshire side held on to earn a vital win down at the bottom. Just the one goal proving the difference again between these two sides, extending the record to seven games where at least one side have come away with a clean sheet.

Salop teeter on the edge of the relegation zone by way of goal difference and Donny move off the bottom of the table and go within three points of safety.