Dazzling Doncaster clocked up a first-ever double over Ipswich and put a giant question mark against the future of home boss Jim Magilton.
Sunday People
03:25, 10 Feb 2013Updated 06:57, 10 Feb 2013
Dazzling Doncaster clocked up a first-ever double over Ipswich and put a giant question mark against the future of home boss Jim Magilton.
Gareth Roberts' opener was quickly cancelled out by Owen Garvan but second-half goals by Tom Heffernan and substitute James Hayter - within just 90 seconds of his introduction - virtually ensured Rovers' survival in the Championship.
Schoolboy sub Connor Wickham, at 16 years and 11 days, became Ipswich's youngest-ever player but nothing could deflect from yet another Portman Road flop.
Magilton's men have now won just one of their last 10 home games, causing fed-up home fans to call once again for the manager's head.
The Town boss moaned: "I feel particularly let down today. It was as if the players downed tools and we looked as if we capitulated.
"Doncaster had more desire than us to win. More than one or two of my players need to look at themselves in the mirror.
"The only plus was Connor and he showed more desire than some seasoned pros. And I wasn't surprised by the crowd's reaction - in fact I expected it and probably deserved it." Doncaster boss Sean O'Driscoll said: "Every point is precious in this division so to get three away from home is an extremely good result.
"We have created chances all season but not taking them, not scoring enough goals, has been our Achilles' heel.
"Are we safe? What is safe? I haven't looked at the bottom of the table all season and I'm not about to start now." Doncaster dominated from the start, although Roberts' ninth-minute opener - his first goal in more than a year - was a complete fluke.
The Welsh international full-back's intended cross from 40 yards instead sailed over the head of back-pedalling goalkeeper Richard Wright.
But Ipswich hit back to level just three minutes later when Garvan was set up by Pablo Counago to sweep home a low shot from the edge of the area.
Ipswich were close to grabbing an 18th-minute lead when Mexican international Giovani Dos Santos, on loan from Tottenham, rattled a post with a first-time effort.
Soon after the break the home side threatened again when Dutch defender Pim Balkestein's header from a Garvan corner was clawed away by the veteran Neil Sullivan.
Doncaster went ahead in the 74th minute when top scorer Heffernan made it nine for the season, firing in after his initial header was blocked.
Then Hayter rounded off a super day for Rovers when he got the better of Campo to net a simple third.
Ipswich: R Wright 6 - D Wright 6, Campo 4, Balkestein 5, Thatcher 4 - Norris 5 (Quinn, 81mins), Shumulikoski 5 (Wickham, 66mins, 5), Dos Santos 6, *GARVAN 7 - Walters 5, Counago 5 (Lisbie, 81mins).
Doncaster: Sullivan 6 - Chambers 7, Mills 7, Lockwood 7 (van Nieuwstadt, 90mins), Roberts 7 - Spicer 6 (Guy, 75mins), Wilson 7, Woods 7, *WELLENS 8, Shiels 6 - Heffernan 7 (Hayter, 83mins).
Referee: K Stroud 7.