The Blues fell to a disappointing defeat on the road in Doncaster this afternoon.
Mark Hughes made one change from Tuesday’s draw at home to MK Dons - Joe Bevan replaced Jordan Jones in the starting line-up.
Owen Bailey almost marked the contest with an early goal on two minutes, however, his nodded attempt was beaten away by Gabe Breeze.
Four minutes later, Callum Whelan sweeped a tremendous ball into the path of Kadeem Harris, who cut inside and saw his effort saved by Ted Sharman-Lowe.
Archie Davies showed terrific energy to break down the right and almost found himself in a position to shoot if it wasn’t for Rovers’ midfielder George Broadbent bringing him down on the edge of the area - he was subsequently booked.
On the 20-minute mark, former United man, Jordan Gibson, saw a deflected effort pushed away from goal by Breeze as both sides continued to push strongly for the opener.
He would then have another shot from the edge of the box collected by the ‘keeper on 28 minutes.
On the half-hour mark, Harris’ low drive meant Sharman-Lowe had to be alert to beat wide and the resulting corner proved no threat on the hosts’ goal.
The Blues continued to find themselves in down the right, with Vela finding himself free shortly after, he lifted his head and sent the ball to the far post for the on-running Joe Bevan, but the defender managed to get back and clear.
Doncaster found the breakthrough nine minutes before the interval, Gibson beat his man down the left and sent a low ball into the area which evaded everyone inside, before falling to Owen Bailey who turned home beyond Breeze.
HALF-TIME: Doncaster Rovers 1-0 United
Five minutes into the second-half, Bevan found himself in acres of space inside Rovers’ box just left of goal, but could only drag a low shot beyond the far post.
The next 10-minute spell provided no clear-cut chances in front of goal for either side as Mark Hughes’ side continued to try and draw themselves level.
On 68 minutes, Gibson netted Rovers’ second of the day against his former side. The attacker drifted past several United bodies before rolling into the far corner with ease.
Substitute Harry Clifton made an instant impact for the hosts, interlinking brilliantly with scorer of the first, Owen Bailey, prior to Cllifton rolling home into the bottom corner to make it three, ultimately putting the game out of sight for United.
Ethan Ennis almost found Doncaster’s fourth from close range during stoppage time, however, Breeze managed to make the required stop.
FULL-TIME: Doncaster Rovers 3-0 United
Teams:
Doncaster Rovers - Sharman-Lowe, Sterry (82’ Nixon), Anderson, Wood (78’ Kelly), Molyneux (77’ Ennis), Broadbent (88’ Westbrooke), Street (72’ Sharp), Sbarra (72’ Clifton), Gibson, Bailey, Senior
Unused subs - Lawlor
United - Breeze, Davies, Harper (88’ McArthur), Thomas, Lavelle ©, Vela (74’ Embleton), Dennis (63’ Kelly), Bevan (80’ Hugill), Wearne (63’ Fusire), Harris, Whelan
Unused subs - Lewis, Guy
Goals:
Doncaster Rovers - (36’ Bailey), (68’ Gibson), (73’ Clifton)
United - N/A
Yellow cards:
Doncaster Rovers - (19’ Broadbent), (69’ Sterry)
United - N/A
Red cards:
Doncaster Rovers - N/A
United - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Scott Oldham
Assistant Referee - Bradley Hall
Assistant Referee - Danny Guest
Fourth Official - Daniel Robinson
Attendance:
8,299
