However, the Rovers boss will be well aware that the tie is still very much in the balance, especially as away wins have not been uncommon so far in this season's play offs.

Nevertheless, Doncaster must now be considered favourites to reach the Wembley final and this is confirmed by the bookies with Coral.co.uk making them 8/15 to progress and Betfred quoting odds of 6/4 for the Shrimpers to get through.

Rovers are 21/20 (VCBet) to get the job done in normal time (Southend are 12/5 with Canbet to do likewise) and although given what is at stake, in what is sure to be a tight affair, plenty of punters will fancy Betdaq's 12/5 for the clash to require extra-time; it's O'Driscoll's troops that should have the edge.

The visitors will inevitably make life difficult for Rovers, for whom a victory by a one-goal margin subsequently appeals at 11/4 (bet365).

Punters can take this bet a bit further by specifying an actual scoreline, with Sportingbet's 17/2 for it to finish 2-1 in Doncaster's favour and Betdirect's 7/1 for them to notch the only goal set to attract the bulk of the bets in that particular market.

The potential for a close encounter also adds value to Blue Square's 6/5, posted against the sides being inseparable at the break, from where Rovers are 4/1 with Partybets to move up through the gears to seal victory after 90 minutes.

Partybets aren't banking on a glut of goals; the online firm rating a total of less than three at 13/20, bet365 chalk odds of 11/8 against O'Driscoll's defence again standing firm to register a clean sheet and punters looking further ahead can obtain odds of 2/1 with Betdirect for Doncaster to be the side that ultimately wins a place in the Championship.

Coral.co.uk price the tie at 11/2 to require an additional thirty minutes by virtue of it being 1-1 as the referee blows the final whistle and Betfred make Rovers 10/1 to finally see off their opponents in a penalty shootout.

The late sending off at Southend, of Paul Heffernan, rated by his manager as the best finisher at the club was a blow to Doncaster's play-off hopes.

But as the goals have been distributed fairly evenly at the Keepmoat Stadium this season, there are one or two other candidates Rovers can rely on in their quest to find the goals that will fire them to Wembley.

Firstly, James Hayter could now get his chance to shine and in Heffernan's absence, the former Bournemouth marksman will be well backed at 13/2 with VCBet to notch first; although it's possible that he may start from the bench and so shrewd punters may instead opt for Coral.co.uk's 2/1, chalked against the 29-year-old forward finding the net at any stage.

Mark McCammon is in contention with Hayter for a starting berth and he is offered at a generous 8/1 by Betfred to put Rovers ahead, though again, if he is omitted from the first eleven Blue Square's 2/1 just for him to register might represent better value.

Elsewhere, bet365 quote Jason Price at 5/2 to get on the scoresheet, the online firm also offering the Welsh midfielder at 8/1 to bag the opener, Lewis Guy is 15/2 (VCBet) to start the scoring and veteran striker Gareth Taylor is available at 8/1 with Betdirect to do likewise.

For those seeking to be a little less specific meanwhile, Sportingbet post 7/10 against Rovers opening the scoring and Partybets' set their marker at 1/5 for Sean O'Driscoll's troops to get on the scoresheet.

Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com

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