Goalless draw for Rovers

Doncaster Rovers had to settle for a point in a goalless home draw with Crystal Palace as they continue to fight against relegation.

With Scunthorpe drawing at Coventry City, Rovers remain five points above the drop zone with three games remaining.

Rovers manager Sean O`Driscoll made three changes for the crucial clash.

Jason Euell, Wayne Thomas and Mustapha Dumbuya all came into the side in place of James Hayter, Shelton Martis and Matt Kilgallon.

Crystal Palace settled the quicker with Dumbuya making a couple of timely interventions to deny the visitors.

Neither keeper was forced into a save in the opening fifteen minutes as both sides tried to settle into the game.

John Oster had Rovers first real sight of goal but his effort went just wide of the post from 25 yards out.

Rovers were beginning to get on top and Jason Euell was next to try his luck but his effort also went just wide of the post.

Wayne Thomas then had the first effort on target when Speroni saved his header from a corner.

Oster then had another effort for Rovers but a Palace defender blocked his shot with Rovers players appealing for handball and a penalty.

Brian Stock then wasted a good chance for Rovers following clever free kick from John Oster.

Rovers finished the half with a succession of corners but couldn`t find a way through the Palace defence.

The home side had dominated for long periods of the first half without a clear-cut chance to open the scoring.

Palace started the game well but hadn`t mustered a meaningful shot on or off target during the opening 45 minutes.

Rovers started the second half the way they had finished the first and Jason Euell almost opened the scoring but his effort went narrowly wide of the post.

Dean Moxey had the first real effort on target for the visitors but his long-range effort went well wide.

Euell was continuing to be a threat and after turning Patrick McCarthy, he shot high and wide.

Anthony Gardner was then lucky to escape with just a yellow card for the visitors for a two-footed challenge on Simon Gillett.

Euell then had an acrobatic effort saved by Speroni, as the veteran striker on loan from Blackpool, was causing problems for the Palace defence.

Palace then had their first real chance when Counago found the head of Ambrose who forced a good save from Gary Woods.

Neil Danns then tested Woods from the edge of the area as the visitors came into the game.

Jason Euell was continuing to pose the main threat for Rovers and he once again had an effort go just wide of the post.

Palace then came closest to opening the scoring when Neil Danns saw his effort come back off the post.

Palace then really should have taken the lead when substitute Iversen somehow managed to miss the target with the goal at his mercy, following good play from Clyne.

James O`Connor then shot over the bar for Rovers as the game headed towards the final few minutes.

Dean Shiels replaced James Coppinger and he quickly got into the action earning Rovers a corner.

The fourth official indicated four minutes of added time soon afterwards with the both sides looking for a crucial winner.

Palace substitute Cadagon had an effort for the visitors but his shot went harmlessly wide.

It was to prove the last action of the game as both sides had to settle for a point.

Rovers will feel that three points from their final three games will guarantee safety.

They now travel to local rivals Barnsley on Easter Monday looking for those three points.

Teams

Doncaster
Woods, Thomas, Friend, O`Connor, Dumbuya (Martis 79), Stock, Oster, Gillett, Coppinger (Shiels 88), Euell, Moussa (Hayter 73)

Subs not used
Sullivan, Kilgallon, Wilson, Mason

Crystal Palace
Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Moxey, Zaha (Cadagon 90), Gardner, Agustien, Dikgacoi, Ambrose, Danns, Counago (Iversen 68)

Subs not used
Prince, Garvan, Easter, Davis, Wright

Join Vital Doncaster Rovers!

With news and views, along with a forum, polls and article comments, everything you need in a fans site is right here!

You can even win prizes, by posting articles comments, posting on the message forum and voting on the polls.

Vital is also 100% interactive. Not only can you have your say on the articles and the forum but you can also suggest an article or a poll so you can air your views.

So why not join Vital today?

It's easy to register here and enjoy getting involved

Message Board

To visit the message board, click here.

Get involved

This website is your website and we are looking for people to help run the site. Do you go to most of the games and have an opinion? Why not write a match report? Perhaps you are a budding journalist or even just someone who is very opinionated? Well why not join our team? If this interests you please contact Vital Doncaster .







Vital Doncaster on:

Vital Doncaster on:

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco