Kyle Hurst brings joy to Grant McCann in Doncaster’s win over Bradford

Doncaster boss Grant McCann called Kyle Hurst “a joy to watch” after their win at Bradford.

Hurst had a hand in second-half goals for Luke Molyneux and Billy Sharp as Rovers won the Yorkshire derby 2-1.

Andy Cook pulled one back but Doncaster deserved their win.

McCann said: “Hurst was a joy to watch, playing on the half-turn and running forwards and him, ‘Mols’ and Billy caused them all sorts of problems there.

“The challenge for Kyle is to do that consistently.

“We stayed calm with the boys at half-time, because I was quite direct with them in the game against Bromley and in Thursday in training.

“I was direct with them about being a better team-mate and making sacrificial runs. It was pleasing to see that in the way we moved the ball, created chances and openings and breaking up in transitions. It was really good.

“We had two moments of quality. Hursty to find Mols, and it was a great finish, and the second goal was something we have worked on constantly.

“They got a bit of vigour towards the end and I take a bit of responsibility for their goal as I moved Jay McGrath.

“It would never have been a goal and I shouldn’t have done that. It’s not a slight on Owen Bailey at all but Jay was dominating in that position.”

Doncaster had been the better side in the first half but they had to wait until the 56th minute to go in front through Molyneux.

Hurst then set up the second goal 10 minutes later for Sharp to convert from close range.

Cook’s goal could not prevent a first home defeat for Bradford since March and manager Graham Alexander said: “They were more clinical with their chances than ours.

“The goals have really hurt us. They were two really poor ones from our perspective.

“The clearance for the first one should be dealt with. It’s three against two and we don’t make any contact on the opponent at all through the move.

“With the other one, we’d talked about our press and one of the lads has unfortunately just switched off and they’ve broken through.

“But we’ve still allowed a top striker a free run into the box into the middle of the goal. We don’t see our centre-forwards being allowed to mosey on in the box unchallenged.

“If you saw the state of Cooky’s shirt every game, you’d realise the amount of contact he takes.”

Alexander made all five substitutions together and they rallied with Cook’s goal.

“We make the subs and the response from the team was excellent,” he said. “We get a goal back and just ran out of time.

“I definitely thought we were going to get another and the supporters did as well.”