Rovers upset form book in big win
Doncaster ended Wigan's eight-match unbeaten run as they chalked up their first victory in 10 matches with a sparkling display in a 3-0 success.
Big striker Chris Brown grabbed the first for Doncaster in the seventh minute and the home side never looked back.
James Coppinger was credited with the second following a 52nd-minute goalmouth scramble and Brown added the third from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.
It was lively from the start with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity.
Doncaster surprised their opponents with the quality of their play and Coppinger dribbled past a couple of defenders on the right before cutting inside to hit a left-foot shot just wide in the sixth minute.
Rovers went ahead a minute later when Wigan were made to pay for slack marking in defence.
A neat build-up on the right saw a trio of players involved in a slick passing move before Paul Keegan flipped the ball to the unmarked Brown, who fired into the bottom corner from 10 yards.
Wigan immediately tried to hit back and Nicky Maynard had a shot on the turn tipped over the bar by Ross Turnbull after Jordi Gomez had set up the chance.
Then Nick Powell latched on to another through-ball from Gomez and tried to lob advancing keeper Turnbull, but lifted his shot just over the bar.
Rovers weathered the storm and hit back to finish the half on top.
Coppinger had a near-post header cleared off the line and another effort saved following good work by Harry Forrester in the 41st minute.
The home side were denied again just before the interval when a header from Brown was scrambled away by Chris McCann.
Wigan won a couple of corners at the start of the second half but found themselves really up against it when Doncaster added a second goal in the 52nd minute.
Richie Wellens latched on to a ball over the top of the visitors' defence and was left with only Ali Al Habsi to beat from close range.
Al Habsi somehow managed to block his shot but the impressive Coppinger followed up to force the ball home. The shot appeared to come off Wellens' chest but the goal was given to Coppinger.
The Latics struggled to battle back after that and Doncaster were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Jean Beausejour appeared to bring down Coppinger in the 63rd minute.
But there was no dispute six minutes later when left-back James Husband was fouled by Tyias Browning as he raced into the penalty area and Brown stepped up to slam home the third from the penalty spot.
Wigan could only muster shots off target from James McArthur and Marc-Antoine Fortune in a lacklustre final 20 minutes as the match meandered towards a comfortable home win.
Source: PA
