It was a lovely August afternoon, the sun was out above Doncaster but there was also a relaxing, gentle breeze which cooled the suns rays, resulting in perfect conditions for a game of football.
It was the third game of the season for the Rovers, but unfortunately just my third after away trips to Watford in the league on the opening Saturday, and progressing past a difficult Notts County test in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.
Rovers fielded a, pretty much, expected team for the visit of Preston. Bryon Webster and Sam Hird, both centre backs, picked up knocks on Tuesday and the previous Saturday's matches respectively, vice-captain Adam Lockwood was partnered by debutant Jason Shackall. Midweek's goalscoring hero James Coppinger, came in for Dean Sheil's after the Northern Ireland international was disappointing at Vicarige Road.
Shackall's appearance came most of a surprise. The defender was only signed just a few hours before kick-off and concequently had never changed with the team.
Despite Rovers edging the first half, they went behind at the break. It was Shackall who was at fault for the opener. The man from Wolves, let ex-Rovers' loanee Chris Brown, take the ball through the centre of the Doncaster defence and slot the ball beyond veteran Neil Sullivan.
Rovers had chances to take the lead before the goal, but similarly to last season, the final through ball wasn't good enough, or the shot's weren't particularly challenging.
Doncaster's ex-Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll clearly made the more impressive of the half time teamtalks. It was close to a full forty-five minutes of second half domination however, the Vikings, didn't take any of their presented chances.
Attacking full-backs, James Chambers on the right and Gareth Roberts on left were inspiring during the second half. At one end they were able to make an inch-perfect challenge, while at the other they both made promising crosses and many short passes.
Doncaster then had a moment of 'how could he miss?'. It was Chambers again cutting inside before sending a shot from the edge of the area towards the top left hand corner. Preston's Andrew Lonergan could only parry, so it fell to James Hayter, who with half the net at his mercy, could only strike his half-volley at the post.
Doncaster did manage to get a deserve equaliser. The two centre backs, Shackall and potential Man of the Match, Adam Lockwood, up for a corner. Shackall's origional header was saved, but Lockwood powerfully blasted in the equaliser and rescue the points at the death for the hosts.
Next up for Doncaster is Coventry City. It promises to be an entertaining tie, with Chris Coleman's 'Sky Blue Army' top of the table. They are starting to gather momentum, both sides remain unbeaten, but will one of them lose that on Tuesday.
Rob blogs on his beloved Doncaster Rovers, amongst other things...
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