DRFC - Rovers unbeaten run comes to an end

Doncaster went to red rose rivals Preston North End hoping to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

Rovers were dealt a blow with the news that Richie Wellens had not got over his illness at the weekend and was replaced in the starting line up by Adam Lockwood.

In a very tense start to the game very little happened of any note for the first fifteen minutes.

James Coppinger had to be replaced shortly after by Lewis Guy having not been able to recover from an ankle knock he received earlier in the game.

There were very few shots on target in the first quarter and Sullivan`s only real test was an over head kick which he saved easily short of the half hour.

For the second Rovers game in a row the referee had to be replaced due to injury and fourth official Mr M. Newell took over.

Rovers first real chance fell to John Spicer whose header was saved easily by Lonergan.

Rovers were having their fair share of the game first Stock and then Spicer had long range efforts.

A very even first half drew to an end with neither side really having a serious threat on goal.

Former Rovers man Chris Brown had Preston`s first effort of the second half but this was easily saved by Sullivan.

Preston were trying to apply the pressure with a sequence of corners and good possession but never seriously threatened the Rovers goal with any of them.

Jon Parkin replaced Chris Brown for Preston with fifteen minutes left to try and beef up the Preston forward line, Parkin would not look out of place in a rugby scrum as he`s built more like a rugby player than a footballer. He quickly got in the action and sent a shot just wide.

Shortly afterwards Parkin got the decisive goal when he rose to head home a Wallace cross to put Preston ahead.

Rovers went looking for an equaliser and Martin Woods had a long range effort saved, then Stuart Elliott had a long range effort just go wide of the post.

Rovers battled to the end but once again were unable to find a goal to get them a point that they at least deserved.

The defeat brings to an end a run of five games without defeat and Rovers now face a tricky trip to in form Crystal Palace on Saturday.

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