At half-time the Keepmoat big screen offered up ‘first half highlights’; Rovers’ sole inclusion in the montage was six passes in midfield that ultimately led to nothing. It was as deft a summary of the opening forty-five minutes as could’ve been.
The visitors took the lead just three minutes in; a cross in from the right missed completely by Rodney Kongolo; and Chuks Aneke had all the time he liked to control the ball and half-volley it past Ian Lawlor.
But for Lawlor, and the goalpost, MK could’ve led by more at the interval. Both came to Rovers’ rescue as the home defence repeatedly displayed all the composure of Olly Murs in the vicinity of a backfiring moped. It was hard to tell whether Kongolo was getting in his team-mates’ way, or they’d taken to marking him for everyone’s safety.
At half-time Darren Ferguson mercifully rang the changes; off went the hapless Kongolo, on came young Alfie Beestin and Rovers were a team transformed; energised, committed, involved. It was the most enjoyable 45 minutes of Rovers at the Keepmoat this season.
John Marquis levelled the scores; nudging Joe Wright’s header over the line from a James Coppinger corner. The second and decisive goal came from Matty Blair; on as a substitute; he broke onto Beestin’s measured lay-off before rolling it beneath the visitors’ keeper.
An encouraging win, made all the more satisfying by virtue of it ruining the afternoon of all involved with a sham excuse for a football club.
by Glen Wilson
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