North End and Rovers share spoils

Billy Sharp's missed penalty proved costly for Doncaster as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at mid-table rivals Preston North End.

Last Updated: 09/03/10 at 22:52 Post Comment

Mellor: Netted equaliser for PNE

Mellor: Netted equaliser for PNE

Rovers enjoyed the better of the opening period and took a deserved lead when James Hayter finished clinically from Gareth Roberts' cross.

Neil Mellor tapped home from close range three minutes before the interval to pull Preston level, before Sharp saw his 55th-minute spot-kick saved by Andy Lonergan.

Both sides had further chances in a frantic second half, but neither was able to find a winner.

Rovers remain a point clear of their opponents in the Championship, with both sides seemingly set to do battle in the same division next term.

Paul Coutts returned from suspension to replace Matthew James in the centre of Preston's midfield, while Chris Sedgwick started on the left in place of Ross Wallace.

Centre-half Elliott Ward came in for Sam Hird in the only change to the Doncaster side that romped to a 5-2 victory over Bristol City at the weekend.

Preston started the game brightly, with Jon Parkin testing visiting goalkeeper Neil Sullivan from 12 yards.

However, Doncaster soon took control and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas curled a left-footed shot wide before fellow loanee Ward went close with an acrobatic effort from a corner.

Emmanuel-Thomas threatened again in the 25th minute, but Lonergan made a fine save to keep out his low shot from close range.

Lonergan was then called into action to keep out a header from Hayter before Rovers made a deserved breakthrough in the 28th minute.

Roberts' powerful long-range shot was parried away by Lonergan. But the resulting corner was cleared only as far as Roberts and the full-back's chipped cross found Hayter, who found the bottom corner with a superb left-footed finish on the turn.

Preston defender Youl Mawene made a fine block to deny Hayter a second goal two minutes later as Rovers continued to create chances at will.

But Darren Ferguson's men weathered the storm and got back on level terms in the 42nd minute.

Sean St Ledger earned a free-kick when his powerful run was ended in cynical fashion by Chambers, who was handed a yellow card. Coutts' inswinging delivery from the left found Mawene at the far post and he slid the ball across for Mellor, who had the simplest of tap-ins from barely a yard out.

Doncaster were given a golden chance to retake the lead when they were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second half.

Chambers went down in the area under pressure from St Ledger but Lonergan dived to his right to keep out Sharp's spot-kick.

Mellor curled a shot narrowly wide shortly after the hour mark as Preston looked to capitalise on their let-off.

Chambers then had a lucky break of his own as he somehow avoided a second booking for a trip on Coutts.

With play switching quickly from end to end, Mellor shot tamely at Sullivan from 18 yards and Sharp fired over for Doncaster from an acute angle.

Sharp went even closer in the 71st minute as he dragged a right-footed shot inches wide of Lonergan's right-hand post.

At the other end Sullivan pulled off a fine save to deny Parkin after the burly forward had turned his marker with ease inside the area.

The hosts had one further chance with a minute of normal time remaining as substitute James burst into the area, but his shot was comfortably pouched by Sullivan.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Monday, 13 May 2013
19:45
Brighton 0-2 C Palace Report
Sunday, 12 May 2013
12:30
Watford 3-1 Leicester Report
Friday, 10 May 2013
19:45
C Palace 0-0 Brighton Report
Thursday, 09 May 2013
Leicester 1-0 Watford Report
Saturday, 04 May 2013
12:45
Birmingham 1-1 Blackburn Report
Bolton 2-2 Blackpool Report
Brighton 2-0 Wolves Report
Burnley 2-0 Ipswich Report
Charlton 4-1 Bristol C Report
C Palace 3-2 Peterboro Report

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

Footer 365

Vincent Kompany insists he is staying at Manchester City

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has rejected rumours linking him with a move away from the club this summer.

Torres: Benitez made us better

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is convinced Rafael Benitez is leaving behind a better team than the one he took over.

Pellegrini quiet on City link

Manuel Pellegrini, the favourite to succeed Roberto Mancini as manager of Manchester City, has refused to talk about a move to the Etihad.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved