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Rovers still looking for win

Image: Woods: Hit the bar

Doncaster are still without a league win since August as they were held by Blackpool.

Doncaster denied late winner

Doncaster are still without a league win since August as they were held by Blackpool. The draw does end a run of six straight defeats for Rovers, but they almost claimed victory at The Keepmoat Stadium. Martin Woods almost won it for the home side but his stoppage time drive smashed against the crossbar. Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll made four changes for the game in an attempt to stop the rot, and was given a boost when skipper Brian Stock passed a fitness test. After four minutes Stock's clever, quick free-kick almost played in Stuart Elliott but Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka was alert and came out to clear the danger. Blackpool full-back Shaun Barker had a lucky escape in the eighth minute when he appeared to haul down Lewis Guy who had been played in by Stock but the referee did not even award a free-kick. A Rovers break after 10 minutes resulted in Jason Price taking a snap shot from the edge of the area but Rachubka got down well to save. For Blackpool, Claus Jorgensen's downward header fell nicely for Steve Kabba on the edge of the box in the 15th minute but the former Sheffield United man volleyed well over the bar. Jorgensen then delivered a dangerous free-kick from the right two minutes later but Barker put the ball over at the far post.

Penalty claim

Rovers might have had a penalty after 20 minutes when Elliott appeared to have been shoved as Martin Woods' cross from the left sailed towards him. Rachubka then produced a stunning one-handed save after 26 minutes to keep out Price's dipping volley from the edge of the area. Gareth Roberts' misplaced defensive header then allowed Gary Taylor Fletcher in on the right channel for Blackpool but veteran keeper Neil Sullivan was quick to come out and smother the danger. Three minutes before half-time Matt Mills produced a cross from the right which fell to price but again Rachubka was equal to his low effort. Shortly after the break Blackpool captain Rob Edwards made a hash of a high ball into the box which almost allowed in James Chambers before Price was penalised for a foul on the keeper. Stock worked the ball out to Roberts on the left in the 56th minute but Guy failed to get enough purchase on his header from the resulting cross to trouble Rachubka. Just after the hour mark Mo Camara brought down Elliott on the left edge of the area and Stock's free-kick had to be scrambled off the line by Barker. Kabba got the better of Mills in the 66th minute but Adam Lockwood was on hand to get his defensive partner out of trouble with a decisive challenge. Blackpool were then denied a spot kick of their own when Ben Burgess looked to have been hauled down in the area. David Vaughan's far-post header had to be expertly tipped over by Sullivan 10 minutes from time before Elliott bombed down the left only to send his cross beyond Price at the far post. Blackpool substitute Alan Gow got to the byline three minutes later but Kabba's near-post flick rolled just wide of the target. A minute from time Gow was booked for diving in the Doncaster area as referee Darren Drysdale was the focus of attention once more. Woods then clattered a 25-yard volley against the bar with Rachubka beaten and there was still time for substitute James Hayter to be denied by Rachubka from six yards.

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