Goals:

0-1: Williams (31, turned in from close range from an offside position, but the ball came off a Pools player on the way)

1-1: Rodney (74, picked his spot from 10 yards as the ball bounced around the area)

2-1: Rodney (83, Amond broke away, picked him out and the substitute rounded the keeper and showed his composure to score)

Bookings: McCulloch (36,foul); Magnay (82, foul); McSheffrey (85, foul); Grant (90, foul)

Referee: Mark Brown (Hull): Seemed to use the game as an audition for the Premier League in front of the Sky cameras 4

Attendance: 6,799

Entertainment: 5/5

Hartlepool United (4-3-1-2):

7 Carson: A fine early save prevented it being an edgy start for Pools and he did all that was asked;

7 Donnelly: The player of late, sent-off at Orient, was replaced by the player who looked so accomplished in the first-half of the season

7 Walker: After a few flat games, he played with authority this time, using the ball confidently from the back

7 Harrison: Strong and dominant defensively, cleared his lines when he had to, and cut a devastated figure at the end

8 Magnay: Drove forward from left back at every opportunity, galvanised his team-mates, with his committed display;

6 Hawkins: Moved to a more central role when Pools threw bodies up front to win the game, but did a good job all afternoon

6 Featherstone: A textbook display from him, kept the ball, moved it around, passed it simply and knitted Pools together

6 Woods: Pools were a better team when he was replaced as they changed shape and their outlook to win the game;

8 Alessandra: One of his busier and livelier games for Pools, involved plenty and usually at the hub of what Pools did;

7 Oates: Ran himself into the ground, chased, harassed and challenged for everything all afternoon before he was replaced

7 Amond: Playing up front with support saw him impress – it’s not rocket science is it? Played with a real determination to make the most of the last chance.

Subs:

Deverdics (for Woods 60): Got involved, looked lively and more of the player expected when he signed rather than the one who has faltered all season 7

RODNEY (for Featherstone 67): So close to being the unlikely hero. Took his goals with some real composure 9

Simpson (for Oates 71)

(not used): Fryer (gk), Richards, Smith, Rooney.

Doncaster (4-4-2): Lawlor 6; Alcock 5 (McSheffrey 79), Butler 7, Wright 6, Blair 7; Rowe 6, Mason 7, McCulloch 5 (Grant 53, 5), Williams 6; Coppinger 7 (Taylor-Sinclair 73), Marquis 6. Subs (not used): Marosi, Keegan, Mandeville, May.

MAN OF THE MATCH Devante Rodney – looked a real player, nothing like he’s appeared up until Saturday, with two astute finishes in a pressure situation.