Points belong to Doncaster Rovers after gritty win over league-leaders Lincoln City

Two penalty saves from Rovers’ goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe earned his side all three points in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the high-flying Imps, who failed to score despite creating numerous chances and have been knocked off top-spot as a consequence.

If any League One punters questioned Rovers’ promotion-credentials prior to Saturday afternoons clash, Darren Moore’s men certainly provided the answers.

When Balcombe dived down low to his left and grasp his second penalty save of the afternoon, it was a clear that it was just going to be one of those days for Lincoln City.

Denied TWICE from the spot! ⛔️

2⃣1⃣ year old @BrentfordFC loanee @ellerybalcombe_ had himself a day for @drfc_official ?#EFLonQuest – Saturdays at 9pm #EFL #BrentfordFC #DRFC #IRWT pic.twitter.com/v6MZVKXPJO

— Quest (@QuestTV) January 30, 2021

From the first whistle, City applied the pressure and went for the jugular- producing fast-paced, forward-thinking football powered by incredible flicks and tricks that saw them flood forward in number.

On the contrary, Rovers were poor in possession and struggled to escape their own half as the hosts looked more and more likely to open the scoring. But to their delight, forward Taylor Richards broke away from the strangle of Lincoln’s midfield and coolly slotted into the far right corner to put his team in front inside 15 minutes.

However, momentum soon swung back in the Imps favour as Doncaster arguably produced their worst passing-display all season, which only exacerbated the Lincoln pressure and meant they never looked likely to add to Richards’ opener – disregarding the fact they have not scored in the second-half of a game since 15 December.

Following the break, it seemed like self-inflicted errors from Rovers were going to be their downfall when play resumed.

First when Reece James swiped a tired leg and brought down Lincoln star-man Jorge Grant on the hour-mark. Then when Balcombe rushed off his line and hacked down Tom Hopper granting them a second spot-kick with just three minutes left on the clock. 

But on both occasions, Balcombe was the hero. He clasped Grant’s effort to his left and met Anthony Scully’s to his right. The keeper’s will to not concede only forced Lincoln into mistakes as the game wore on, overplaying at times and swiping at the chances that came their way.

As referee Darren Bond blew his final whilst, it brought an end to what was an incredible, backs-against-the-wall defensive performance from Rovers and left Lincoln to rue at their missed opportunities.

The same level of determination will be needed for Moore’s team as they prepare to face more promotion rivals over the next few weeks – which include the likes of Sunderland, Accrington Stanley and Hull City –  and wish to add to the 27 points they have claimed out of the last 30 available.

Speaking after the match, Moore said:

“Lincoln were very, very good over 80 yards of the pitch and they didn’t allow us any sustained time on the ball. They moved the ball very well.

“Usually where we have been good with the ball, we weren’t. We gave away cheap possession which meant the ball just kept coming back.”

Ironically, Lincoln boss Michael Appleton felt optimistic following his teams first defeat in eight league fixtures which saw his side slip down to second place:

“I just hope we got all our frustrations out in one game.

“It was arguably the best performance since I’ve been here. It had everything. I thought we were outstanding with the ball, we were good out of possession.

“We gave away a bit of a scruffy goal from our point of view but in terms of asking questions of the opposition, asking their keeper to make saves, making their defenders put their bodies on the line, I can’t ask for any more. It had everything.

“And that’s against a side who normally like to dominate the ball and are probably the better side [in their games]most weeks. We made them look pretty ordinary but ultimately we haven’t won the game.”

The Imps will hope to bounce back to winning ways on Tuesday when they face Hull in the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy before travelling to Gillingham on Friday evening.

Next up for Doncaster is a visit from in-form Oxford United at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday.

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