Report: City 3 – 1 Doncaster Rovers

Hull City moved closer to the Play-Offs following a 3-1 win over Doncaster Rovers while their competitors faltered in the promotion race.

Nigel Pearson made three changes from the side that started against Swansea City. Vito Mannone replaced Matt Duke in goal, while Richard Garcia and Jay Simpson earned starts in place of James Harper and Aaron Mclean following their impressive introductions at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night.

The changes had an immediate effect, with the Australian Garcia in the thick of City`s attacking play. Garcia and Koren had gone close before City opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Fryatt took a fortunate bounce in the area and when his shot was saved but parried out in front of goal, Richard Garcia slotted home to give City the early lead.

Doncaster equalised with their first effort on target. Mannone tipped a long range effort from Coppinger onto the post but the rebound was steered home by Moussa to equalise for the away side.

The visitor`s defensive frailties were on display soon after, as Martis pushed Evans in the area. Mark Clattenburg awarded the penalty which Matty Fryatt duly converted from twelve yards to restore the home advantage.

City continued to dominate the first half, but were dealt a blow when Richard Garcia was forced off with a knee injury. Although post-match analysis shows the Australian international to be ok, the injury was an untimely end to a promising performance. Jamie Devitt was introduced as his replacement.

Devitt would be involved in City`s third goal. He collected a Robert Koren pass to lay the ball back to Rosenior. The right back crossed to the far post, where Fryatt stooped to head into the net, his second goal of the game.

Doncaster continued to push for goals despite their lowly league position but couldn`t break through the backline due to a combination of fortunate and brilliant goalkeeping from the returning Vito Mannone.

In reality, City could and should have won by more than their eventual two goal margin. Robert Koren was played free one on one. Having missed a similar opportunity when trying to go around the keeper at Swansea, the Slovenian tried to place the ball past the keeper but saw his effort saved.

Next, Matty Fryatt and Aaron Mclean raced free of the Doncaster defence. Despite the chance of a hat-trick, Fryatt unselfishly passed to Mclean to tap in from two yards. The striker however inexplicably contrived to prod the ball back into the arms of the retreating goalkeeper rather than the net for what was a terrible miss and spurned opportunity.

Still, it arrived with City secure of victory, which has moved them to 8th and just two points off 6th placed Leeds United.