Ryan had a dream about the final last summer before a ball had been kicked, and last night's semi-final first-leg 0-0 draw between Rovers and Southend at Roots Hall made the prospect of it happening more of a possibility.

"It was a better performance than on Saturday at Cheltenham," enthused Ryan.

"It was a good result against a very good side but we haven't got to be complacent.

"I thought that we were the better footballing side, particularly in the second half - and we just passed it round them.

"I thought that they were more powerful and stronger in the tackle and dangerous at set-pieces.

"But other than that I don't think that they opened us up and I'm a bit disappointed in some ways that we didn't win the game because I felt that we were the better team. But it sets us up nicely for next Friday and I hope that we can put them away at the Keepmoat.

"It was a big loss losing Richie Wellens but we covered it very well."
Some of the gloss was knocked off the result following Paul Heffernan's red card for a head butt which will rule the striker out of the second leg and the final if Rovers get there.

"We've got other options up front so it is not as bad as it could have been," said Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll.

"But Paul is a goalscorer and he came in tonight and did well. He is going to miss three games and he is devastated.

"It was a bit backs-to-the-wall after he had gone off but we managed to hang on.

"They are a good side and just one defeat in 16 games is testament to that.

"They have got a midfield which has scored 20 goals, a front two who are as lively as any in this league. They have got four defenders over six foot so we know that it is going it is going to be difficult at home.
"It was a blow losing Richie Wellens but I thought everyone who came in did a good job."