A superb performance from Lincoln City produced one of their results of the season in front of a packed Belle Vue. City came into the game clinging on to a play off spot, whilst Rovers were riding high in second place. A win for Doncaster would see them climb to the top of the table.
City welcomed back influential midfielder Richard Butcher, but were without the enigmatic Peter Gain. Doncaster featured two ex Imps in their line up, the towering Leo Fortune West up front and sub keeper Barry Richardson.
The game started at a frantic pace with both teams desperate to make a good start. Referee Tony Leake made Paul Mayo his first booking of the game for a crude challenge on John Melligan after 9 minutes. Two minutes later the jeers that greeted the youngsters card turned to cheers as City took a 1-0 lead.
Clever work from the livewire Francis Green enabled him to whip the ball across the goal that resulted in an unfortunate own goal for Tim Ryan. Under pressure from Gary Fletcher Ryan could do nothing but bundle the ball past a despairing Andy Warrington.
Rovers attempts to hit back never really caused City any problems. Marriott turned an effort from Leo Fortune West behind for a corner, but the flag kick was headed well over. Michael McIndoe had a good shot well saved by Marriott following a good centre from Greg Blundell. Shortly before the break Green had another jinxing run ended by a foul, but Mark Bailey blazed his free kick well over form 22 yards out. By the time the whistle sounded for the interval, The Imps were still holding on to the lead.
Doncaster came out after the break looking for an equaliser. A Mark Albrighton free kick was well blocked by Ben Futcher following a foul by Bailey on the edge of the area. Shortly after that the Doncaster faithful felt Alan Marriott should have been sent off after he appeared to handle the ball outside the area. Referee Leake was well on hand to adjudge that there was no infringement to the delight of City’s 1,700 travelling support.
On 58 minutes City extended their lead. Fortune West headed a Mayo corner up into the air. As the ball came back down Gary Fletcher was on hand to hook the ball past Warrington with a spectacular overhead kick. The Doncaster stopper felt he was impeded, but the referee was having none of it, and the goal stood. 2-0 to The Imps.
Leo Fortune West picked up Doncasters first card of the game straight after the goal with a late challenge on Doncaster born defender Simon Weaver. He was followed into the book by Ben Futcher who attempted to delay the taking of a free kick following Ben Sedgemores challenge. The ball was moved forward 10 yards for dissent, and substitute Adriano Rigoglioso powered his free kick goal wards producing an acrobatic stop from the dependable Marriott.
Adriano Rigoglioso twice went close with thundering free-kicks after coming on as a substitute, but Marriott tipped his first effort over the bar at full stretch and the second was deflected narrowly wide. Rigoglioso went close shortly afterwards with another free kick, this time deflected for a corner. The midfielder looked a constant threat to City.
Ricky Ravenhill became the fourth and final player into the book on 79 minutes after a shocking challenge on Fletcher. Fletcher however got straight to his feet to come up with a mazy run round three defenders before hooking the ball over to Mayo. The ball just evaded Mayo and came despairingly back of the post.
The game took on a frantic pace in the final ten minutes, with Fortune West missing two good chances. His first was hit high and wide from a good position, whilst his second gave Alan Marriott the opportunity to impress further as he pulled off one of the saves of the season from close range.
The Imps marched straight back at Doncaster, Fletcher feeding through the constantly threatening Green only for his shot to be tipped wide by Warrington.
The final effort of the game from the home side saw Ricky Ravenhill shave the post of Marriott’s goal from a good range. That proved to be the last threat of an excellent game for City. On 90 minutes City sub Simon Yeo hooked a Fletcher cross straight at Warrington. However the hard work had been done, and shortly after Tony Leake sounded his whistle to end the game. The result was excellent for the Imps, propelling them to 6th in the table albeit for 24 hours.