Moore bemoans “sloppy” Doncaster display

Boss Darren Moore was disappointed with the performance of his Doncaster side despite their 3-1 win over Southend.

A Kieran Sadlier brace plus a Niall Ennis strike handed Rovers a comfortable victory over their struggling visitors, who pulled a goal back in the second half through Harry Phillips.

But Moore was unhappy with what he deemed ‘sloppy’ play from his below-par side.

He said: “Performance wise, it was not quite the standards that we set here. I’m pleased with the three points.

“It probably won’t be a performance that I remember the team by but I’m pleased with the win.

“We knew they are a more resolute opponent that work hard and stay disciplined. They made it really hard for us at times with their work-rate and endeavour.

“We got the goals at the right times but overall with the performance we drive it higher and better here.

“There was times it was sloppy and not to the required standards.

“Sometimes, for whatever reason, football can be like that where it’s just not quite happening for you.

“The pleasing thing is that we played below par but we still got the three points.

“We had chances to probably get a fourth goal and you could see the boys were pushing for that so I give them credit for not letting up on that.”

Sol Campbell urged his Southend side to keep fighting for survival after their four-game unbeaten run was ended.

Southend had won their first league game under Campbell in their previous outing against Accrington but were swept aside with the former England international bemoaning defensive lapses.

But he insisted his beleaguered squad will press on as they look to claw back a 15-point deficit to safety.

He said: “We’ve got to keep on fighting and keep on trying to play good football and trying to win games and getting the good results.

“Doncaster are a great passing team and we set our stall out to frustrate them.

“It is what it is. They’re going to keep the ball the majority of the time.

“We had a couple of chances here and there, played some good football but lacked in a few defensive moments.

“They scored two good goals from their perspective but they were poor from us, allowing them to come inside and take the shot.”

Doncaster won 7-1 in the reverse fixture on the day Campbell took charge of Southend.

He felt his players acquitted themselves well in the second meeting, adding: “Last time it was a massacre but the lads trained really well for this and gave a great account of themselves.”