DRFC Season review - April

Doncaster Rovers went into the month of April with an outside chance of the play offs after a decent March, but the loss of leading goalscorer Billy Sharp at the end of that month was to prove costly as Rovers lost their way towards the end of the season.

Rovers started the month with a home game against relegation threatened Plymouth Argyle.

The points looked to be staying at the Keepmoat when James Coppinger put Rovers ahead with just over thirty minutes remaining.

Plymouth though fought back and snatched all three points in injury time to complete the double over the Rovers.

Rovers were quickly back in action with a trip to the seaside on Easter Monday against inform Blackpool who were also looking for a play off place.

Paul Heffernan was recalled from his loan spell at Bristol Rovers just hours before the kick off as Rovers injury ravaged side were down to the bear bones.

Blackpool kept up their late push for the play offs with a goal in each half in a 2-0 win.

West Brom were next on the agenda for Rovers at the Keepmoat and an entertaining game saw the Baggies win 3-2 to clinch promotion back to the top flight.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and James Hayter scored for Rovers but they couldn`t spoil the West Brom party.

Lewis Guy extended his loan spell at Oldham Athletic until the end of the season after impressing during his initial one-month loan spell.

Rovers stop the run of three consecutive defeats in a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town, Dean Shiels equalised from the penalty spot for Rovers inside the final ten minutes.

The final home game of the season saw Rovers take the points in a seven-goal thriller against local rivals Scunthorpe United.

The game saw Scunthorpe take the lead, before twice coming from behind to draw level themselves, only to lose in the final minute.

Emmanuel-Thomas, Mutch, Hayter and Martis were on target for Rovers.

Rovers hold their end of season awards and loan star Billy Sharp walked away with two of the top awards winning both the golden boot and the Players player of the year.
Gareth Roberts won the goal of the season for his wonder strike at Peterborough and James O`Connor won the fans player of the year.

John Spicer extends his loan at Leyton Orient so that he can play in their last game of the season.

Rovers also extend the loan of youngster Jordan Mutch from Birmingham City so that he is eligible for the final game of the season at Swansea City.

The end of the month saw Rovers in twelfth position and the chance to finish in the top half of the Championship for the first time since the 1950/51 season.

We will be taking a look back at May in the lead up to the new season.


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