McCann hails Doncaster’s character

Grant McCann hailed his Doncaster side’s character after they returned to the Sky Bet League One play-off places with a 4-1 thumping of Bristol Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The hosts had gone eight games without a victory but an early James Coppinger brace helped them return to winning ways.

Mallik Wilks and Kieran Sadlier netted either side of half-time before Jonson Clarke-Harris netted a consolation for the visitors from the penalty spot.

The result leaves the away side just three points above the relegation zone and looking over their shoulders, having suffered a 4-0 drubbing against the same opponents in the reverse fixture back in December.

McCann said: “I thought the start to the game was excellent for us. It was a great finish from Copps and after that we controlled large periods.

“It was nice to go in 3-0 up, the boys showed huge belief today.

“We got our dangerous players into good positions and that helped us win the game.”

On bouncing back from Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing by league leaders Luton, McCann added: “They’re a good group and we’ve had a tough run of fixtures, so it was nice for us to score early and get a bit of confidence and after that we took the game away from them.

“The boys moved the ball with real tempo and verve and the energy to get the ball was first class.

“The two goals – the goal at the start of the first-half was important and the goal at the start of the second-half was very important. It was a tremendous finish from Kieran.

“I was really impressed with him and the team’s performance.”

Coppinger gave the home side the lead after just three minutes as his tame effort squirmed under visiting keeper Jack Bonham, who should have done better.

The 38-year-old needed no help with his second, firing home a low effort from 20 yards after 12 minutes.

Wilks added a third from 12 yards after 31 minutes and their three-goal lead was no less than Doncaster deserved at the break.

Sadlier wasted little time adding a fourth with a 30-yard stunner seconds after the restart.

Clarke-Harris pulled one back from the penalty spot after 66 minutes after being shoved to the ground inside the area.

Bristol Rovers boss Graham Coughlan admitted his side had been outclassed but expects his side to improve drastically when they welcome Luton on Saturday.

“It was very disappointing,” he said. “It was gutting to be honest.

“The better team won – we didn’t lay a glove on them, we weren’t good enough.

“We probably at this moment don’t have the individual qualities to go up against teams like that.

“I’m not going to let one game destroy what we’ve built up; I fully expect them to react on Saturday.”