Luke Molyneux scores hat-trick at Tranmere to boost Doncaster’s promotion hopes

Luke Molyneux scored a hat-trick as Doncaster continued their promotion push with a comfortable 3-0 win over Tranmere at Prenton Park.

Molyneux’s treble extended Grant McCann’s side’s unbeaten run to eight games and moved them up to second in the League Two table.

The visitors took the lead in fortunate circumstances after 23 minutes when Molyneux’s in-swinging free-kick deceived everyone and flew straight into Luke McGee’s net.

The home side offered little in terms of attacking threat and their cause was not helped when interim boss Andy Crosby was sent off before the break for knocking the ball into the stands.

Six minutes after the interval, the away side doubled their lead when Rob Street was brought down by McGee and Molyneux calmly slotted home from the spot.

Tranmere looked to respond quickly with Kristian Dennis rattling the bar from range and Regan Hendry drawing a save from Teddy Sharman-Lowe.

But the result was put beyond doubt with 14 minutes remaining when Molyneux reacted first to a McGee save for his and Doncaster’s third.