McCann not concerned after Accrington defeat

Posted Wednesday, October 03, 2018 by PA

Doncaster boss Grant McCann is not worried after Accrington substitute Offrande Zanzala scored an 87th minute winner to see off his high-flying side 1-0.

Third placed Doncaster had won the last four league games to assert their early promotion credentials but could not find the clinical touch against Accrington, who have moved up to fifth in the League One standings.

Instead it was Zanzala who fired home the winner – his first of the season – and Stanley had also hit the woodwork twice through Sean McConville.

“I am not worried, there will be a lot of twists and turns,” said McCann. “We were a little bit short in areas tonight, we were a bit safe and we did not get forward quick enough.

“We weren’t ruthless enough. I can’t fault the attitude and the commitment of the lads but we are disappointed to come away with nothing.

“There wasn’t a lot in the game but if I was to be critical of the lads it’s that they lacked a bit of guile and cleverness in the final third, we have had it all season but it just didn’t happen tonight.

“I think there were two big chances in the game. Mallik Wilks had a great chance he didn’t take for us in the first half and then Zanzala took their chance. That’s the difference between winning and losing sometimes.

“Now we will look for a reaction on Saturday against Fleetwood. We go again.”

Stanley boss John Coleman was delighted with the three points as his side are unbeaten in 10 matches.

“It was a smashing game with two good football sides, lots of endeavour, it was honest, there was no cynicism and it was end-to-end stuff,” Coleman said.

“We started well and then they came into it but at the start of the second half we were like Tasmanian Devils, we were breathtaking for 15 minutes and created around seven chances in the first five minutes.

“We had to believe it would be our day if we kept going and thankfully it did. I was pleased it was Ozzy who scored. He is a great lad, a great character and he fully deserved his goal.

“I wasn’t sure about the celebration at the corner flag – and he got booked for it – he might have to pay £12 for that but it was just the relief spilling over.

“Doncaster are a very good side, they will be challenging for the automatics at the end of the season and we just have to hang in there.

“We have proved we can play good football, some of their players were glowing with praise with the way we played. Some of the football was fantastic and long may it continue.”