Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson pleased with performance despite cup exit

Darren Ferguson declared himself pleased with his side's performance despite Doncaster Rovers losing to Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup.
Matty Blair puts his head in his hands after Rovers concede a late goal to exit the EFL Cup at the hands of Nottingham ForestMatty Blair puts his head in his hands after Rovers concede a late goal to exit the EFL Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest
Matty Blair puts his head in his hands after Rovers concede a late goal to exit the EFL Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest

Jamie Ward struck a stoppage time winner after Liam Mandeville had cancelled out David Vaughan’s first half strike.

Ferguson bemoaned the lack of a referee’s whistle in the build-up to Ward’s winner but still reflected positively on his team’s performance.

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“It’s disappointing to lose the game so late on in that manner,” Ferguson said afterwards. “We felt it was heading to extra time and we thought we were getting on top.

“It was a foul on Tommy Rowe in the build-up to their winner.

“He should have given it, it was a poor decision, and they’ve gone on and scored from it.

“I thought my team were disciplined in the first half and if we’d chased them all over the pitch they would have picked us off.

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“We grew into the game and I felt we were the better team in the second half.

“Liam’s [Mandeville] came on and had an impact again. But unfortunately an error from the referee has just seen the game slip by.

“But I was pleased with the performance, against a good team from the Championship.

“I just felt we had to be a bit braver on the ball and I told them at half time to show a bit more arrogance and belief, and I thought we did that in the second half.”

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Ferguson confirmed that Andy Butler was substituted at half time for tactical reasons.

“It was a positive to get through it with no more injuries,” said Ferguson.

“We also improved things from Saturday which we needed to improve. We showed a lot more discipline.

“In a cup match you need a little bit of luck and we didn’t get that tonight. They got that, and they go through.”