Colchester United have fallen to a first defeat in nine matches after a narrow 1-0 loss at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Tommy Rowe’s first half effort was enough for the home side to take all three points despite strong pressure from the U’s throughout the ninety minutes.
Louis Jones’ goal was under constant pressure from Ben Garner’s side, but a series of stops from the Doncaster ‘keeper prevented a Colchester fightback with the hosts holding on for the win.
Ben Garner named an unchanged starting XI from last Saturday’s resounding win over Sutton United for the trip to Doncaster Rovers; the only alteration was amongst the substitutes with Kieran O’Hara dropping out, and Al-Amin Kazeem taking his place.
The U’s made a good start in the contest at the Eco-Power Stadium, with good Ben Garner’s side carving out chances in the opening twenty minutes in front of the Doncaster goal.
Luke Chambers’ header needed to be palmed over the bar by the goalkeeper from Arthur Read’s free kick. A couple of moments later, John Akinde did manage to beat Jones with a header, but his effort was cleared well from under the crossbar by Ro-Shaun Williams in a positive opening.
Akinde had another good chance on seventeen minutes when he benefitted from a neat flick by Samson Tovide – Jones was out quickly again, and managed to prevent John’s low effort with the hosts able to clear soon after.
Jones was called into action once again with twenty-five minutes played in a routine stop from Arthur Read’s powerful drive – and the goalkeeper’s contribution proved to be valuable with his side taking the lead after half an hour.
There were plenty of protests from the U’s players and bench as Tommy Rowe scooped the ball beyond Tom Smith from what appeared to be an offside position, but the flag stayed down as the hosts took a surprise lead.
The goal brought plenty of fight out of the U’s in what was quickly becoming a fiery contest. Noah Chilvers was on the end of a robust challenge from Doncaster’s Skipper, Ro-Shaun Williams, provoking a reaction that saw them both carded.
Aiming to get back in the game before half time, John Akinde took it upon himself to help his side up the pitch with a bursting run from the half way line. Striding towards the edge of the penalty area, he spotted Arthur Read in the middle, with his effort deflecting off the arm of a Doncaster player and out for a corner, despite shouts for a Colchester penalty.
And the half ended with another scuffle between the two sides. This time Tovide and Rowe were caught up, prompting a word from the referee, with Akinde also booked for a nudge on the Rovers’ captain. The first forty-five drew to a close with the hosts in front.
Neither side made a change at the break as the U’s came out looking to get back on level terms. But at the other end of the pitch, Fiacre Kelleher put in a good challenge to bring an end to Aidan Barlow’s weaving run just outside the penalty area.
Noah Chilvers tossed in a free kick that was only just cleared by the hosts after Luke Chambers’ header back across the six-yard line, before Ben Garner opted for his first change of the afternoon. Will Greenidge made way for Jayden Fevrier with half an hour to play, with the youngster making a quick impact, stinging the palms of Jones with a snapshot from the edge of the penalty area.
Colchester made another change with just over fifteen minutes to play after a bruised Samson Tovide was withdrawn. The combative forward had been tussling with the home defenders throughout, and was replaced by Tom Hopper as the U’s search for an equaliser continued.
Noah Chilvers’ in-swinging corner created panic in the six-yard box for the hosts, but they were able to clear once again as the U’s made their third and final change of the afternoon. It brought a change of shape too, with Kelleher replaced by Matt Jay for the last ten minutes.
Ben Garner’s side put the hosts under more pressure for the five minutes of stoppage time indicated, but couldn’t make the breakthrough. John Akinde was close to a leveller, when he appeared to strike the ball over the line moments before the full time whistle - protests followed soon after the full time whistle with Junior Tchamadeu issued a red card after words with the officials.
The defeat sees the U’s drop to twentieth in the standings, with the final game against Mansfield Town coming up at the JobServe Community Stadium next Monday.
Doncaster Rovers starting XI: Jones, Williams, Molyneux, Rowe, Biggins, Barlow, Seaman, Miller (Goodman 88’), Westbrooke (Hurst 79’), Faulkner, Close.
Subs: Mitchell, Brown, Hurst, Ravenhill, Degruchy, Kuleya, Goodman.
Colchester United starting XI: Smith, Greenidge (Fevrier 60’), Chambers, Chilvers, Kelleher (Jay 79’), Read, Ashley, Tchamadeu, Akinde, Hall, Tovide (Hopper 73’).
Subs: Dallison, Newby, Jay, Hopper, Kazeem, Marshall Miranda, Fevrier.
Attendance: 5,928 (413)