Doncaster 1-1 Notts County
by Harry De Cosemo
at Eco-Power Stadium

ALMOST 11,000 fans watched on as Doncaster Rovers and Notts County played out a pulsating 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Alassana Jatta’s goal put the visitors in control at half time, but substitute Joe Ironside came on and levelled after a much better performance after half time.

Doncaster boss Grant McCann was pleased with the second half, admitting that was what he wanted to see from his side.

“You saw what we were all about second half, our style of play and what we want to be,” McCann told the media post-match. “The blood and thunder and aggressive football, getting after them and not worrying about what's behind you.

“It's about taking the ball off them and creating opportunities.

“I felt that for 10 or 15 minutes towards the break we were getting a bit more control. But it wasn't where I wanted it. In the end we made a decision to wait and see how the game started after half-time.

“We looked a bit more aggressive and powerful going forward. Because when you've got Kyle, Luke Molyneux, Jordan Gibson and Patrick Kelly who can all travel with the ball it gives you a bit of impetus. Owen Bailey was excellent too in the second half winning his duels, picking up second balls. We were much better second half I thought.”

County began with purpose, sweeping through the Doncaster defence at will. Their quality was rewarded by a superb opening goal in the 13th minute.

Jatta’s header was pinpoint, as was Jacob Bedeau’s cross. But the build up play was swift and devastating. The home side couldn’t get near them.

Although Doncaster rallied and began to look more likely in attack as the half wore on, but they were looking suspect in defence. Jatta almost made them pay for two unforced errors, but luckily for Rovers, they survived. 

Ted Sharman-Lowe, who had been dispossessed first time around, did brilliantly to save after the striker pounced on a weak back backpass. 

After the break, Doncaster played with much more zip and intensity. McCann may well have had strong words for his team, but they were responding. Yet, in Jatta, the visitors always had an outball, and they continued to cause problems.

Kelly fired just wide of the post from the left-hand corner of the area. The closer the game was to the end, the more Doncaster were threatening; conversely, County were ceasing as an attacking force.

But that crucial goal was needed, and with 20 minutes remaining, the tension was palpable. Tame efforts Jay McGrath and Molyneux from did little to change it.

But just seconds after Sharman-Lowe denied George Abbott one on one, Ironside levelled with a powerful header from a brilliant Jamie Sterry cross.

If there was going to be a winner, it would be Doncaster. But they couldn’t find another moment; a draw felt like a fair result, but the home fans perhaps left feeling like they’d dropped two points.