skip to content

  • Kick-off: 15:00
  • Venue: Keepmoat Stadium
  • Attendance: 8040
  • Referee: Ilderton, E

Live Commentary

90 mins

The ref has blown his whistle for full time.

90 mins

The ref has blown his whistle for full time.

87 mins

Paul Heffernan is being taken off, Gareth Taylor has come on in his place.

82 mins

Doncaster are replacing James Coppinger with Sean McDaid.

77 mins

Port Vale are replacing David Howland with Luke Rodgers.

70 mins

Port Vale are replacing Jason Talbot with Paul Edwards.

67 mins

Mark McCammon is being taken off, Stuart Elliott has come on in his place.

63 mins

Kyle Perry is booked for unsporting behaviour.

60 mins

David Howland is booked for unsporting behaviour.

46 mins

The second half is under way with the score currently at 2 v 1.

45 mins

Half time whistle is blown by E Ilderton

34 mins

Goal!! Port Vale have scored with Danny Whitaker putting it in the back of the net.

19 mins

Goal!! Doncaster have scored with Mark McCammon putting it in the back of the net.

11 mins

Goal!! Paul Heffernan scores for Doncaster.

0 mins

The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Match Report

Rock-bottom Port Vale battled all the way but could not prevent promotion-chasing Doncaster Rovers chalking up another victory.

Rovers made hard work of it against the bottom club after making a flying start with two goals in the first 18 minutes, but they finished worthy winners, despite not being at their best to clinch their 12th victory in the last 15 games.

Last season's top scorer Paul Heffernan - just back from injury - scored for the second game in a row to put Doncaster on the path to victory.

It was a superbly-taken goal by the Irish striker, who chested down a right-wing cross from James Coppinger and controlled the ball skilfully before hammering it home off the underside of the crossbar.

Doncaster made it 2-0 seven minutes later when big striker Mark McCammon scored with a shot on the turn from close range, after Heffernan and Coppinger had both had efforts blocked.

At that stage it only looked a question of how many for Doncaster, especially after Paul Green had gone close to adding a third with a fierce angled drive in the 33rd minute.

But Vale showed their mettle when they hit back a minute later to stun the home fans into silence with a goal from Danny Whitaker.

The ball broke to the hard-working midfielder in the penalty box and he reacted quickest to slam home a shot from point-blank range, before keeper Neil Sullivan could get to the ball.

Doncaster were unlucky not to add to their lead when McCammon headed a superb free-kick from Green against the crossbar in the 41st minute, before Matt Mills was denied when visiting keeper Joe Anyon tipped another terrific effort on to the crossbar on the hour mark.

But Vale almost snatched an unexpected point in the 71st minute when Chris Herd hit the foot of the post with a left-foot shot.

Doncaster Rovers Team

Port Vale Team

Doncaster Rovers

Port Vale

Corners

5 3

Fouls

4 11

Goal attempts

18 4

Shots off target

8 2

Offsides

3 0

advertisment

advertisement