Doncaster Rovers beat Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at Morne Fleck Stadium with second-half goals from Luke Molyneux and Harrison Biggins, A big step towards the League Two play-off final.
Molineux completed a sweep to put Grant McCann’s side in front (34), with Biggins capitalizing on Mickey Demetriou’s error to convert just three minutes into the second half. Rangers’ advantage doubled.
Biggins was immediately forced off the field with a suspected hamstring injury and will be assessed live on Sky Sports ahead of Friday’s second leg.
Chris Long missed Crewe’s best chance in the dying moments when he headed a header over the top, but after a fourth successive home defeat all momentum is now focused on Doncaster with the winner set to be announced on May 19 Face Crawley or MK Dons at Wembley on Sunday.
Doncaster’s away performance was perfect
Luke Molyneux’s strike gives Doncaster a first-half lead
That proved to be a step too far for Lieber’s injury-plagued team. Doncaster have reached the final and have a firm grip on victory in this match. Joe Ironside, the team’s best player, recorded his 11th win in 13 games.
Crewe, who have won just 12 of their last 12 games, started brightly and Thimothee Lo-Tutala had to go all out to hold off Mickey Demetri on seven minutes Mickey Demetriou’s long pass was headed in by Rio Adebisi.
Doncaster finished fifth in the regular season, having finished 20th two months ago. They were confident of reaching the play-offs but were forced again when Tom Anderson blocked Shilow Tracey’s pass to center Elliott Nevitt. Caught in a crucial last-ditch defense.
Molineux fell to his knees after opening the scoring
However, Doncaster absorbed the early attack and Molineux tested Max Striek from distance midway through the first half. He would soon be celebrating his 11th goal of the season.
Hakib Adelakun and Matthew Craig combined on the left and the latter pulled the cross back for Molineux at the near post to fire his shot high into the goal.
Crewe’s first reaction was youngster Matus Holicek’s 25-yard shot which sailed over the crossbar.
Matus Holicek and Molineux battle for possession
McCann’s side came close to doubling their lead just before the break when Adelakun’s right-footed curling ball from Harrison Biggins hit the woodwork.
Doncaster doubled their lead three minutes into the second half when Mickey Demetriou’s error allowed Ironside to set up Biggins for an easy finish.
However, the goal celebration proved to be Biggins’ last act and he was limped off to be replaced by Tommy Rowe.
Crewe coach Lee Bell also pulled Conor Thomas into the middle and sent on Courtney Baker-Richardson and Chris Long to try and Injecting life into the team’s attack, the Railwaymen’s tie gradually slipped in the home game and Crewe coach Lee Bell also reached out to the bench.
There was little response from the home side but they almost halved the deficit when Leo Adebisi’s cross was met by Zach Williams, but substitute Long was able to put a header on target .
Molineux were looking to add another goal when he broke through and his shot was diverted to the near post by Max Stryjek.
What did the manager say?
Molineux celebrate giving Doncaster the lead
clone boss Lie Beier: “I thought we started the game very well and didn’t create chances across the board. We gave them two goals but the draw wasn’t over yet. We were 2-0 down at half-time but we came back. We “Now we have a complete game that does the same thing.
“We have to look back at this game and if we want to get anything out of this game we have to be more brutal in the final third. We will need the Doncaster fans again. But it’s not over yet. We will make plans Make a plan and see what happens.
“We do struggle with injuries and players probably shouldn’t play, but we’ll keep going and we still believe we can turn things around. The spirit and character in the dressing room are our biggest strengths on Friday and we were better than ever before. It is needed more every time.
Grant McCann impressed with his Doncaster
doncaster boss Grant McCann: “I’m happy with the result. It took us a while to get going but we scored a really good goal in the opener. I thought we controlled most of the game in the second half and scored another Nice goal but we know it’s only half time.
“Hopefully we can perform like that again on Friday. The lads played with a lot of confidence. It was cautious at first and they had a couple of chances. But when the second goal came we took control.”
“We’re going to win the game on Friday, that’s all we’ve done since I’ve been here. That’s how I like to play football. We’re not going to sit back and watch.”
Ironside: Our coach has a vision
Biggins celebrates doubling Doncaster’s lead at Crewe
Doncaster striker Joe Ironside told Sky Sports:
“We knew that with the talent we had, if we were given a chance, we would take it. The kids played well, we defended well and scored some goals.”
“We put our form down to belief in the process. When the coach first came in he had a vision. We didn’t start well but he said it all depends on how you finish and we’ve got that power.
What’s next?
Friday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.
Starts at 8:00 p.m.
clone and doncaster The second leg will be played live at Eco-Power Stadium on Friday 10 May at 8pm sky sports football.
The winner will advance to the Sky Bet League Two play-off final, which will be held at Wembley on Sunday 19 May.
