Doncaster Rovers vs Bradford City. Sky Bet League One.
The Keepmoat StadiumAttendance7,369.
Monday 19 March 2018 23:58, UK
A John Marquis double eased Doncaster's Sky Bet League One relegation fears as they beat Bradford 2-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Rovers striker scored twice in the final 15 minutes to steer his side to victory on Monday night, lifting them seven points clear of the drop zone.
Bradford, meanwhile, are still without a win after four games under Simon Grayson and remain seven points off the play-off places.
The first half, which was largely dominated by Bradford, was extremely quiet with very few chances at either end, and things did not really improve in the second either.
At least until the 75th minute when the first real moment of quality from either side opened up the game. Niall Mason found himself in some space on the right before picking out Marquis with a pin-point cross, which was powerfully headed home by the striker.
Bradford then pushed forward for an equaliser, but Marquis' second sealed the game for Darren Ferguson's men in the second minute of stoppage time. A quick counter saw Alfie Beestin tee up the striker at the far post, who struck it low past Colin Doyle.
It was far from a classic at the Keepmoat on Monday night, and could easily have ended up as a goalless draw were it not for two clinical moments from the Doncaster striker.
Darren Ferguson: "It was all about winning the game and giving yourself a foundation. Our concentration and communication was very good and it was a good team effort. The two goals were really high quality it they won us the game.
"[Marquis] has obviously not scored as many goals as last season but that was always going to be difficult for him. His performances haven't dipped, he's been excellent for us and he's a real catalyst for the team. I thought he was outstanding tonight and the two goals were clinical."
Simon Grayson: "First half we played very well and created some decent chances, but we didn't take them. Second half we were the complete opposite and didn't do the same things we did first half. We didn't ask enough questions of Doncaster's defenders or put enough balls into the box.
"We were too open and it probably sums up the club this season, good parts and then poor parts. We stopped doing the basics, winning battles and making sure Marquis doesn't get a free header in the box."
Bradford are back in League One action at home to Gillingham on Saturday at 3pm, while Doncaster have to wait until Good Friday to play again, when they travel to Blackpool.
