On a blustery afternoon at the Keepmoat, Rovers were made to settle for a point for the third successive home game, against a stubborn, physical Stanley.
It was the visitors who struck first when Conor Grant was dispossessed on half way and forward Shay McCartan ran the length of Rovers’ half before finishing clinically beyond Ian Lawlor.
Rovers responded well and grew into the half with Tommy Rowe controlling the midfield. Alfie May went close, but wanted too long on the ball, before Rowe managed to squeeze home a Grant cross at the second attempt to level the scores.
Referee Robert Lewis wasn’t a popular figure and waved away strong appeals for a penalty when James Coppinger looked to be dragged down as the half petered out.
A scrappy second half came to life in the 58th minute when a Coppinger cross found its way through to John Marquis who showed composure to fire past Marek Rodak for his 19th goal of the season.
Stanley went close when a cross evaded Lawlor and crashed off the post. However they weren’t to be denied, with substitute Jonathan Edwards forcing home a close range header from a free kick heaved into the Rovers box on 81 minutes.
There was still time for Rowe to miss a glorious chance one on one with the keeper, as Rovers pushed for the winner.
The draw means the gap to fourth narrows to 10 points as Rovers continue to (very slightly) edge their way towards promotion.
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