Despite being happy that Rovers avoided the potential banana-skin in Saturday's FA Cup match against Tiverton Town, Dave Penney did think that Rovers should have won by a larger margin.
"It was a potential banana skin," he said."Both sides worked their socks off but we should have had a lot more goals. The performance wasn't important but the result was and to get through to the next round was exactly what we wanted and expected."
Penney did say that he was hoping for a home tie in the second round following long trips to Tiverton and Hereford, but his prayers were not answered, with Rovers being last out of the hat yesterday afternoon, when they were drawn away at Exeter City. The second round will be played on Saturday, 4th December.

Our review of goals scored by former Rovers players this weekend begins in the first round of the FA Cup, with Mark Sale scoring a last minute equaliser for Alfreton Town as they forced a 1-1 home draw against Macclesfield Town. Martin Foster opened the scoring for Halifax Town as the Conference side eliminated Cambridge United from the competition, winning 3-1.
Looking back to the Conference last weekend, Neil Redfearn scored Scarborough’s second goal as they won 3-0 at Dagenham, and Brain Quailey opened the first goal of the game for Stevenage as they beat Halifax 2-1. In the Welsh Cup, ex-Rovers striker Peter Smith hit a hat-trick as Rhyl defeated Holyhead 9-0. It was FA Trophy first round weekend last week, with Neil Campbell scoring the only goal of the game as Barrow won at Woodley Sports, Paul Barnes scored Hinckley’s equaliser on their way to a 3-1 win over Stafford Rangers, and Dean Barrick scored Hucknall Town’s first goal in their 4-0 win over Bracknell Town.

Due to holidays, the results from the Man of the Match voting for the Hartlepool match were not able to be published at the usual time.
With five players receiving nominations, the leading votes were cast as follows:
1 Neil Roberts (62.07%)
2 James Coppinger (20.69%)
3 Paul Green (13.79%)
Thank you to everyone who took part - the voting for the Tiverton game will remain open until 5pm this afternoon, with the result being announced on Tuesday morning.

The draw for the second round of the FA Cup has been made this afternoon - and instead of being virtually first out of that, they were the very last club to be drawn. The draw therefore sees Rovers drawn away again, with a trip to Exeter City being their reward for Saturday's victory at Tiverton Town. Exeter progressed to the second round by defeating League Two club Grimsby Town at home. The match is scheduled to be played on Saturday, 4th December.

The draw for the second round of the FA Cup will be made at approximately 4pm this afternoon, following the conclusion of the televised coverage of the first round tie between Thurrock and Oldham. According to the FA's web site, Rovers will be numbered 1 in the draw. Matches in the second round are due to be played on the weekend of Saturday 4th/Sunday 5th December.

Barrow have announced that former Rovers defender Paul Raven has been appointed as first team coach at the club. This means that the top three on the coaching staff at Barrow all have Rovers connections - the manager is Lee Turnbull, and assistant manager is Lee Warren.

Due to holidays, the results from the Man of the Match voting for the Peterborough and Hartlepool matches were not able to be published at the usual time.
For the last home game, against Peterborough United a fortnight ago, Michael McIndoe won by a convincing margin to register his fourth "MOTM" victory of the season. With nine players receiving nominations, the leading votes were cast as follows:
1 Michael McIndoe (45.67%)
2 Paul Green (17.28%)
3 Neil Roberts (16.04%)
4 Jamie Price (12.35%)
Thank you to everyone who took part in these votes - the voting for the Tiverton game will remain open until 5pm on Monday afternoon, with the result being announced on Tuesday morning.

Rovers survived an early scare when Tiverton hit the woodwork in the first minute to register a 3-1 win over Southern League Tiverton Town. Rovers opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Michael McIndoe, with a Nick Fenton goal making it 2-0 at the interval. Gregg Blundell scored a second half goal, with Tiverton pulling one back from the penalty spot in the dying minutes after Dave Morley was judged to have pulled the shirt of a Tiverton player in the penalty area.
The "Man of the Match" voting has now closed. Thank you to everyone who voted - the result will be released on Tuesday morning.

Although Tiverton play four divisions below Rovers, they do include in their squad a number of players with league experience. Goalkeeper Mark Ovendale played for York when Rovers were beaten at Bootham Crescent last season.Top scorer Jamie Mudge was at Exeter last season and played alongside Rovers' Jamie Coppinger. Playing alongside Mudge will be Kezie Ibe, who is on loan from Yeovil Town. Ibe scored three times in the last round as Tiverton beat Newport County 4-1.

Former Rover Colin Cramb, now with Grimsby has been left our of the Mariners squad at Exeter today in the FA Cup, due to his fear of flying.

The Radio Sheffield are covering the game this afternoon on their 1035 MW frequency and are also on the web. Follow the link on the logo to the left. You will need real player to be able to hear the commentary.

Dave Penney is likely to make just one change from the side that lost at Hartlepool last weekend. On loan keeper Michael Ingham has an injury and will be replaced by Andy Warrington in the starting eleven. Stuart Jones has recovered from injury and will be on the bench. Sunderland had previously allowed Ingham to play in the match.

The BBC are asking for nominations and votes for the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Sports Personality of the Year. Last year Doncaster Rovers were the only team in the region to gain promotion with their rise fronm the Conference. This year they were the only team to win a divisional title. It is based on this theory that we would like to put forward the names of both Dave Penney and Mickey Walker. These men have acheived more than anyone else in the region during this calendar year. Last year'prize was hared by Keith Alexander and Jamie Peacock of the Bradford Bulls.
To vote either write to ;
BBC Sports Personality
Broadcasting Centre
2 St Peter’s Square
Leeds
LS9 8AH
or vote by email to : sporthero@bbc.co.uk

Rovers youth team were beaten 1-0 at Belle Vue last night in he FA Youth Cup first round. Wednesday scored through Cockerhill on 29 minutes. Rovers had a good spell early in the second half but were unable to breach the Wednesday defence.

The buckets were out again for the Coin Trail last night. £92.98 was collected by Andy Liney and his colleagues including some contributions from Sheffield Wednesday ssupporters. The sum raised now stands at £22,445.02

Rovers are hoping for a decent crowd tonight at Earth Stadium for the visit in the FA Youth Cup 1st Round of Sheffield Wednesday. Kick off is a 7.30 pm and admission is £3 for adults,£1 for OAP's and Under 16's will be admitted free of charge. The second round draw has already been made and the winners of tonight's tie will face either Mansfield or Cambridge United at home in round two.

Rovers game at Tiverton on Saturday will be featured on BBC's Grandstand on Saturday. In addition to this BBC Radio Devon and BBC Radio Sheffield will both be carrying commentaries from the game

Rovers have been given 700 tickets for the game. Season Tocket holders and Away Rover members can purchase their tickets before tonight's youth team game. Ticket prices are Adults, £10, Concessions £ 7 and Under 16's £ 4.

At Hartlepool last Saturday the Coin Trail raised a further £84.17 taking the amount collected so far to £ 22,352.04. All the money raised is being donated to the Youth Team, and we'd like to thank all those who have donated.

Rovers have announced taht defender Dave Mulligan has been put on the transfer list. No explanation has been given for this but the emergence of Jamie Price as a suitable cover for Simon Marples has been apparent recently.

John Ryan is considering making a complaint to the FA about the performance of referee Chris Foy in the game at Hartlepool. Ryan, along with manager Dave Penney, and all the travelling supporters was incensed by the decision not to issue a red card against Pool defender Michael Barron when he took Gregg Blundell's legs in a tackle from behind when Blundell was clear through on goal. FA rules state that such an offence is an automatic red card.
Mr Ryan went to see the referee after the game accompanied by the fourth official and Mr Foy was unable to give an explanation for his decision. John Ryan has never before made a complaint about an official but feels that strongly in this case that he will be requesting a suspension for the official using the correct channels.

Having made his first team debut for Chester City last Tuesday, former Rover Andy Watson has been sent out on loan to Conference side Forest Green for a month. Watson had a good game and supplied an assist for the final goal as Rovers beat former league side York City 3-1.

Former Rover Gavin Worboys has moved from Armthorpe Welfare to join Eastwood Town. Another old Rover moving on is Jamie Barnwell Edinburgh who has moved from Hall Road Rangers to Ossett Town.

Having been ahead with twelve minutes of the game remaining, Hartlepool substitute Joel Porter scored twice to give Hartlepool an unlikely victory and preserved their unbeaten home record. Rovers went ahead on the half hour with a goal from Roberts after Blundell had flicked on a Coppinger cross. The game's pivotal moment came with Rovers 1-0 up and with Gregg Blundell clear with just the keeper to beat, when he was scythed down from behind by Pool's Micky Barron. The incident just outside the box should have seen an automatic red card for the defender, and thus should have have handed the initiative to Rovers but after consultation with his assistant, the referee chose to book another player, Chris Westwood.
Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper heaped praise on Rovers saying that since he has been at Hartlepool, Rovers are the best footballing side he has seen admitting that they couldn't get near them at times.
A report of the game will follow later.

The Rover youth team also lost to their Hartlepool counterparts yestaerday. The scoreline was 3-2 in Pool's favour. This results in Hartlepool leapfrogging Rovers to second in the league.

Dave Penney said after yesterday's game that Rovers should have gone on to win had the referee sent the offending defender off in the Gregg Blundell incident. He told radio Sheffield that he went to see the referee after the game but that he wouldn;t speak to anyone at that time. He was hoping to get to speak to him before they laft the North East to question why he made his decision. He said that defeat was again a result of poor defending and that they would study the video. He added that Michael Ingham was selected ahead of Andy Warrington for his presecnce at crosses. He also said that after his performance at Hereford, he deserved his place.

Dave then said that they were still on the lookout for a striker, but no clubs want to let strikers out on loan. Ben Jackson was the eighth player unavailable yesterday through injury, along with Foster, Marples, Albrighton, Fortune West, Jones, McGrath and Mulligan.

As well as the first team, Rovers youth team is also playing at Hartlepool today. The game kicks off ay 12 noon. Hartlepool are currently placed thitd in the league, one place behind Rovers. Hartlepool's young side beat Bradford City 7-2 in their last game.

Former Rover Steve Rimmer who played a couple of games on loan from Manchester City in Rover's first Conference season has received a 112 day ban for head butting an opponent playing for Skelmersdale United against Colne in the wonderfully named Moore & Co Solicitors North West Counties League. Rimmer has been captain of the side since joining from marine a year ago.

Ex Sheffield Wednesday midfielder richie Humphreys faces a fitness test for Pools having been injured in the LDV win over Carlisle in midweek. Jack Ross could play his first game of the season after overcoming a knee injury. Adam Boyd and Micky Barron should also be avaiklable having missed the midweek game.

Dave Penney should revert back to his first eleven with the exception of John Doolan, who is suspended following his sending off last week. Michael Ingham, on loan from Sunderland to get some first team experience is pushing Andy Warrington for a place having impressed with his performance at Hereford.

Former Rover Jamie Murphy has been forced to retire because of a troublesome ankle injury. Murphy, currently a physiotherapist with Bolton Wanderers, has been playing for Nationwide north club, Lancaster City, whom he joined in the summer from Fleetwood Town. Bolton have offered him the opportunity to take on first team match duties and this has hastened his decision to retire now.

Rovers travel to Hartlepool on Saturday and are likely to revert back to a team similar to the one that played Peterborough last weekend. Gregg Blundell, who missed the LDV tie at Hereford is likely to return having shaken off a hamstring injury. Mark Albrighton may return to the squad having had some fluid drained from his knee on Monday. Dave Mulligan has some swelling and bone bruising and is likely to miss out. John Doolan in suspended and will be replaced by Ricky Ravenhill. Steve Foster and Leo Fortune West are the other players unavailable.

Ex-Rovers striker Neil Campbell has moved to Thornaby United on loan from Nationwide North club Barrow. Campbell has been at Barrow since his departure from Belle Vue in the summer of 2002.

Rovers travel to Hartlepool United on Saturday, 6th November for a League One match. Please note that this is an all-ticket match as far as Rovers fans are concerned. The supporters club are running coaches to the match, with details being as follows:
Coach departs from Retford at 9.45 a.m., Bawtry 10.00, Hare & Tortoise 10.05, Punches 10.10, Belle Vue 10.20, and Doncaster Royal Infirmary 10am.
A separate bus will depart from Carcroft Club 9.40am, Bentley Pavilion 9.45am, Don Valley School (Jossey Lane) 9.50am and Woodlands (opposite Cooplands) 10.00am
Fares for both buses will be:
Members: Adults £9.00, Seniors £8.00, Under 16’s £ 7.00
Non members: Adults £11.00, Under 16’s £9.00

Having seemingly disappeared from the planet, Justin Jackson has signed for Nationwide North club, Stafford Rangers.He left Belle Vue to join Accrington Stanley in October 2003, but left having failed to turn up for training. He then moved to Chester City on trial but was taken off during his trial game. Jackson was expected to sign for Harrogate Town last month but the deal fell through.

Andy Watson finally made his debut for Chester on Tuesday night in their 1-0 LDV Vans cup game against Rochdale. Watson however was replaced at half time by Michael Branch.

The Viking Supporters' Co-operative have reported that Tuesday's trip to Hereford raised £77.55 which is an excellent return from just 137 Rovers supporters.
All money raised from this appeal will go towards the running expenses for the youth team.

Rovers were beaten on penalty kicks last night at Hereford. Rovers went ahead in the second half , with a volley from Adriano Rigoglioso following a Michael McIndoe corner. Williams replied for Hereford to take the game to extra time. In teh second period of extra time , Michael McIndoe had a penalty saved by Conisborough born Craig Mawson in the Hereford goal. In the penalty shoot out, Hereford scored first only for McIndoe to reply for Rovers. Of the next four kicks all were saved, Morley and Fenton being the unluckyRovers penalty takers. Then Hereford scored to make it 2-1. This was followed by a Rigoglioso effort that was put wide. Ex Bradford striker Lee Mills then added a third for Hereford to win the tie. 137 Rovers fans travelled on a dismal wet night.

The Rovers youth team have been drawn at home to Sheffield Wednesday in the first round of the FA Youth Cup. The match will be played at Belle Vue on Wednesday, 10th November, with a 7.30pm kick-off, and admission prices will be £3 for adults, £1 for OAP's, and children will be admitted free.

Sunderland fourth choice keeper, Michael Ingham has joined Rovers on loan and is likely to start tonight's LDV game at Hereford. Ingham, who has been included in the Northern Ireland squad, has played just two appearances for the Black Cats , but has seen league action in loan spells with York, Wrexham,Stoke,Darlington and Carlisle. Mick McCarthy told Sunderland's website that Ingham needs first team football and hopefully this move will give him that opportunity.

Rovers left winger John McGrath has returned to the club following two months on loan at Shrewsbury. He was signed by The Shrews as cover for Sam Aiston, who has since recovered from injury. Shrewsbury have also had a change of management during McGrath's time with the club. McGrath however was withdrawn from Shrewsbury's reserve game in midweek with a hamstring injury.

The Viking Supporters' Co-operative have reported another good response to their "Coin Trail" appeal this weekend, with a total of £685.64 being raised, to take the grand total to £22,190.37. Once more, the new Viking Bar did well, raising over £300 of the total.
All money raised from this appeal will go towards the running expenses for the youth team.

Rovers will be without strikers Leo Fortune-West and Neil Roberts for this evening's away tie in the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy. Leo went into hospital to have a knee operation yesterday, and Neil Roberts is cup-tied. Simon Marples and Mark Albrighton will again be absent due to injury, along with longer term absentee Steve Foster. Ricky Ravenhill will be available again after completing a three match suspension after being sent off against Barnsley, but John Doolan begins a three match ban after being sent off against Peterborough on Saturday. Dave Penney told Radio Sheffield that 20 players were travelling today and mentioned that Beardsley, Jackson, Rigoglioso and Tierney were likely to take some part in the game. Hereford are likely to stick woth the team that progressed in the FA Cup at the weekend. they include loan keeper Craig Mawson who was drafted in last week when Jonathon Gould was recalled by Preston.

Dave Penney was understandably delighted with the Rovers operformance in the second half of Saturday's game against Peterborough. He admitted that he would have settled for a point at half time the way that the team had been playing. The game saw jamie Price move into midfield with Jermain McSporran and Michael McIndoe operating as wingbacks in a ploy that obviouly fooled Posh boss Barry Fry, who was probably expecting Rovers to take on a 4-4-1 formation after the sending off fo John Doolan. Barry Fry told the BBC "I am disgusted with the second-half performance. I don't think the players turned up,"

With both Neil Roberts and Leo Fortune West unavailable for the trip to Hereford tomorrow, Dave Penney has told Radio Sheffield that he is looking to bring in one, maybe two loan strikers in time for the game. He also said that if nothing came of the search that he would be comfortable using either Ben Jackson or Chris Beardsley for the tie and he also hinted at changing the shape of the team.

Rovers travel to Hereford United for a second round round tie in the LDV Vans Trophy tomorrow night. Admisison for the game is pay-on-the-gate, with prices being:
Seating: Adults £11.00, Concessions £8.00
Standing: Adults £8.00, Concessions £6.00
The Supporters' Club are running coaches to the game, with departure times being:
Retford 1.30 p.m, Bawtry 1.45, Hare & Tortoise 1.50, Punches 1.55, Belle Vue 2.00 and Doncaster Royal Infirmary 2.10pm
Fares for the coaches are:
Members: Adults £ 10.00, Seniors £9.00, Under 16’s £ 8.00
Non Members: Adults £12.00, Under 16’s £10.00

Leo Fortune-West will have an operation on his knee today to clear up a problem owing to wear and tear which he has suffered from for a while.
Mark Albrighton is to see a specialist today about his knee injury which was sustained late in the game against Torquay United. Simon Marples will be out for about another two weeks with a leg muscle strain.