Returning Rowe nets late winner for Doncaster to rock Wimbledon

Posted Sunday, November 18, 2018 by PA

Tommy Rowe returned from a 10-week absence to net a late winner in a 2-1 victory for Doncaster which piled more misery on managerless AFC Wimbledon.

A hamstring injury sidelined the skipper in early September but he marked his comeback with the deciding goal three minutes from time as Rovers ended a six-game winless streak in all competitions.

It had appeared as though Wimbledon would end their seven-match losing run in League One after Matthew Pinnock opened the scoring in the 26th minute via a fine sweeping counter attack which he concluded with a drilled effort under Ian Lawlor.

But Doncaster responded well and were level by 35 minutes.

From a short free-kick routine, Ali Crawford played a one-two with Ben Whiteman before curling a wonderful effort into the top corner from 20 yards.

Doncaster looked much the more threatening for the remainder of the game, though it took a fine save from Lawlor to keep out a Scott Wagstaff piledriver.

The second half was one-way traffic but it took until the 87th minute for Doncaster to go ahead when Rowe surged through several challenges and lashed a low shot home.