Doncaster Rovers’ unbeaten run came to an end as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Harrogate Town.
Despite entering the match as early League Two leaders, Grant McCann’s side struggled to find a foothold in a fast-paced game, with first-half goals from Ellis Taylor and Josh March sealing the win for the home side.
Rovers, coming off a 1-0 victory against Gillingham that took them to the top of the table, made one change to the starting lineup, with Ben Close replacing Zain Westbrooke. The visitors started brightly, with Jordan Gibson causing problems down the left side. His early efforts were blocked by Harrogate’s defence, but it was a sign of the attacking intent Doncaster hoped to bring to the game.
However, Harrogate responded well and began to assert themselves. Just before the half-hour mark, James Daly’s delivery from the left found Ellis Taylor, whose header beat Doncaster’s goalkeeper, Teddy Sharman-Brooke, to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Doncaster nearly equalised soon after through Luke Molyneux, but Mark Belshaw well saved his header.
Harrogate doubled their advantage just before the break when Josh March broke free from the Doncaster defence and poked the ball home to make it 2-0.
McCann made a tactical change at halftime, bringing on Joe Ironside for the influential Gibson. The switch seemed to inspire Doncaster, who started the second half with renewed energy. Jay McGrath tested Belshaw with a powerful shot, but the Harrogate keeper was equal to the effort. Kyle Hurst also came close after coming on as a substitute, but Belshaw once again denied Rovers a way back into the game.
Despite Doncaster’s persistent attacking pressure in the second half, Harrogate held firm, with their defence repelling wave after wave of attacks. Rovers managed 21 efforts at goal, almost three times as many as their hosts, and had 69% possession, but the one thing they didn’t get was the cherished three points.
“I thought we dominated the game,” McCann told the media post-match. “We had lots of opportunities, worked the ball well but the last bit was just lacking for us tonight and that’s not something I can say too much about this team.
“It’s disappointing not to score but I can’t be too critical tonight. I said to Cliff (Byrne, assistant) that we needed to score in that first 30-minute spell. We were so dominant but we never scored and then get hit with a sucker punch.”
It sets Doncaster up for a huge weekend next time out, as they’re travelling to MK Dons, themselves an early promotion favourite but a side struggling to put a run together. Defeat in that game for either side will be a massive blow.
As for Harrogate Town, the result temporarily lifts them to 13th in the table, albeit having played a game more than everyone else, and two more than Fleetwood and Salford below them. However, the win was hugely morale-boosting for Simon Weaver’s side, who travel to Crewe next weekend.
Site Opinion: Missed Opportunities
Rovers came into this match full of confidence but struggled to convert their early chances. While Jordan Gibson looked dangerous down the left, Rovers were unable to take advantage of key opportunities. The loss, while frustrating, highlighted the importance of clinical finishing and defensive solidity in tight games. Gibson coming off, oddly, gave them a little more impetus, but it didn’t result in goals.
Moving forward, McCann will need to find a way to maintain the team’s early-season momentum. While the defeat is a setback, the overall quality in Doncaster’s squad suggests this is a temporary blip, and they remain strong contenders in the League Two promotion race.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
