Rovers downed in Yorkshire derby

Doncaster Rovers boss Dean Saunders honeymoon period came to a shuddering halt with a 3-0 home defeat to Leeds United.

Doncaster struggled to get going throughout the game and went in at the break one down after poor defending allowed Danny Pugh to fire home unmarked.

Second half goals from Ross McCormack and Tom Lees condemned Doncaster to their heaviest home defeat of the season.

Saunders handed debuts to new signings Chris Kirkland and Herita Ilunga.

There was a place on the bench for another new signing Pascal Chimbonda.

Rovers had a good early chance when they were awarded a free kick. Brian Stock shooting straight at the Leeds wall.

Leeds went ahead after twenty minutes when Rovers defenders Richard Naylor and James O`Connor collided, leaving Danny Pugh free to fire home.

Rovers came back at Leeds, John Oster shooting straight at Andy Lonergan in the Leeds goal.

Jon Parkin missed a great opportunity to bring Rovers level close to half time but his header went wide of the post when he should have done better.

Rovers went in at the break one down in a half of few chances.

Parkin had an early second half opportunity for Rovers when he screwed his shot wide of the post but they were soon two down.

Former Doncaster loan player Ross McCormack scored with a speculative overhead kick when he was given too much time and space in the penalty area.

Saunders tried to revitalise Rovers with two substitutions on the hour. Kyle Bennett and Ryan Mason replacing James Coppinger and John Oster.

Before they had chance to make any impression on the game it was 3-0 to Leeds. This time Richard Naylor was out muscled by Tom Lees at a corner and he planted his header past Kirkland.

The goal killed the game off as a contest, with Leeds seeming content at 3-0 and Doncaster struggling to breakdown the Leeds defence.

James Hayter had a glimmer of a chance after Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan spilled the ball but the keeper was up quick to deny the Doncaster striker.

Lonergan was injured in the incident and had to be replace shortly afterwards.

Andy Keogh almost made it four for Leeds when his shot came back off the cross bar.

George Friend had a late chance to earn Doncaster a consolation but his free kick was straight at Leeds substitute goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.

A disappointing night for Doncaster who struggling to get any sort of momentum going in the game.

They are quickly back in action when they travel to Blackpool in midweek.

Teams
Doncaster
Kirkland, O`Connor, Naylor, Friend, Ilunga, Oster (Bennett 61), Coppinger (Mason 61), Stock, Gillett, Sharp, Parkin (Hayter 70)

Subs not used
Sullivan, Chimbonda


Leeds
Lonergan (Rachubka 77), Connolly, Lees, O`Dea, White, Snodgrass, Howson, Clayton (Vayrynen 85), McCormack (Becchio 71), Keogh, Pugh

Substitutes
Rachubka, Kisnorbo

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