Doncaster started by far the better, forcing two early corners. Tragedy struck on the 7 minute mark when an attack down the right was well broken up, but the loose ball fell to Heffernan unmarked and a rasping shot from about 15 yards put the Cherries a goal down.
Heads didn’t drop though and within minutes of their goal we forced one of their defenders into a headed back pass which totally eluded Budtz in the Rovers goal, dropping inches past the post. A superb individual effort from Hayter followed from the corner - the turn and shot would not have been out of place in the Premiership. Neither would the save - just pushed round the post.
Stock and Surman saw efforts go wide as the Cherries refused to lie down, trying hard for the equaliser. All things being equal Doncaster would probably kick themselves for their lack of ambition even in the first half when they were content to sit back and soak up the pressure. Somehow they survived a great finish from Surman which was sadly disallowed (ball out of play) and a Stockie free kick that hit a stanchion at the back of the goal, fooling a lot of fans.
HT: 0-1
The 2nd half started with more Cherries pressure as they kicked towards the North End. Stock put Foley away with a great pass. The cross put the Doncaster defence under all kinds of pressure with blocks coming in for efforts from Keene and Cooper before Stock blazed over the bar. Another fine cross by Foley, who was causing all sorts of mayhem on the left, put Keene in, but his shot went over the bar amid a chorus of appeals from the North End. Personally I could not see if it was a penalty but was disappointed he could not get his shot on target despite the pressure he was under.
The best chance was yet to come when, on the hour mark, Surman was desperately unlucky with a sublime chip that beat Budtz and the cross bar by inches.
Rovers were defending for their lives with two defenders being thrown on. Still the pressure mounted, with a clear penalty appeal being turned down when Browning had his shirt pulled in the area. Still the Cherries powered forward with shots from Cooper first and then Hayter on a powerful solo run both clearing the bar.
On the 75 minute mark Doncaster almost made it 2-0 with their only attack of the half. A great one handed save by Stewart from Forte kept us in the game.
77 minutes saw a double substitution for the Cherries - Pitman and Cooke coming on for Keene and Browning. By now the atmosphere in the ground was turning decidedly tense with the minutes ticking away. Attack after attack was being repelled - some more by luck than judgement. But at last the equaliser came in the 82nd minute. Cooke picked up Surman at the far post with a superb pass - a sliding shot and virtually the whole ground erupted with relief. Cherries 1 Doncaster 1
Doncaster were now in disarray, hanging on desperately for the whistle. A long range drive from Pitman, looking increasingly assured in a first team shirt, went just wide. Then in the 90th minute all the Cherries hard work was rewarded with a superb move started by James O’Connor. Hayter was put in down the right and his cross was inch perfect for Brian Stock, his diving header giving Budtz no chance. Cherries 2 Doncaster 1 - an eruption of joy from the Cherries faithful!
The three minutes of time added on saw all sides of the ground roaring the Cherries home, with noise levels unheard of for Dean Court! And we also saw the first of the Cherries wounded back in action with Shaun Maher returning to the centre of defence.
A great team performance all round but my Man Of The Match has to go to Brian Stock. He drove our midfield tirelessly from start to finish. Some superb passing and vision and a great goal as well.AFCB: Stewart, Young, Hart, O'Connor, Cooper, Browning, Stock, Surman, Foley, Hayter, Keene
Subs: Maher (on for Surman, 92), Cooke (on for Browning, 78), Coutts, Pitman (on for Keene, 78), Rodrigues
Rob Mann, Kingskerswell, Devon