Match ends, Colchester United 1, Doncaster Rovers 4.
Doncaster won 4-1 at lowly Colchester to record a 10th successive victory and move into the League Two play-off places.
Colchester took a ninth-minute lead through Jayden Fevrier, who converted at the far post after Tom Hopper had got behind the Doncaster defence and picked him out.
But Doncaster equalised five minutes later when Luke Molyneux collected Jamie Sterry's short free-kick and unleashed a low left-foot shot from 25 yards that sailed into the far corner.
Rovers completed a rapid turnaround in the 22nd minute through Harrison Biggins, who swept home from close range after Molyneux had beaten Ellis Iandolo and crossed into the area.
Doncaster extended their lead in the 76th minute when Tom Anderson squeezed a shot past Sam Hornby and in at the near post after Hakeeb Adelakun had picked him out from another short free-kick.
And Rovers sealed their victory in the 85th minute when Joe Ironside tapped in from close range after James Maxwell's shot had been tipped on to a post by Hornby.
The result prevented Colchester securing their survival, ensuring they go into the final fixtures three points ahead of Sutton and now only four better on goal difference.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Colchester
Formation 4-4-2
- 29Hornby
- 20Mingi
- 22HarbottleBooked at 75mins
- 5Hall
- 3IandoloBooked at 13mins
- 42FevrierSubstituted forKelleherat 87'minutes
- 13McGeehan
- 16Read
- 10Chilvers
- 24AkindeSubstituted forIhionvienat 80'minutes
- 14Hopper
Substitutes
- 1Goodman
- 4Kelleher
- 7Jay
- 8Wilkinson
- 26Richardson
- 37Cooper
- 48Ihionvien
Doncaster
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 15Lo-Tutala
- 2SterryBooked at 17mins
- 4Anderson
- 6Wood
- 3Maxwell
- 17Bailey
- 37CraigSubstituted forRoweat 77'minutes
- 7MolyneuxSubstituted forHurstat 85'minutes
- 14BigginsBooked at 73mins
- 47Adelakun
- 20IronsideBooked at 45minsSubstituted forWatersat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Olowu
- 8Broadbent
- 10Rowe
- 12Jones
- 21Hurst
- 24Westbrooke
- 40Waters
- Referee:
- Paul Howard
- Attendance:
- 4,041
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away9
- Corners
- Home6
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Colchester United 1, Doncaster Rovers 4.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury James Maxwell (Doncaster Rovers).
Post update
Offside, Colchester United. Bradley Ihionvien is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt saved. Billy Waters (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kyle Hurst with a cross.
Post update
Offside, Colchester United. Bradley Ihionvien is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. Billy Waters replaces Joe Ironside.
Post update
Foul by Riley Harbottle (Colchester United).
Post update
Kyle Hurst (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Owen Bailey.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Tom Hopper (Colchester United) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Noah Chilvers with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Tom Anderson.
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Fiacre Kelleher replaces Jayden Fevrier.
Goal!
Goal! Colchester United 1, Doncaster Rovers 4. Joe Ironside (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Post update
Attempt saved. James Maxwell (Doncaster Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kyle Hurst.
Substitution
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. Kyle Hurst replaces Luke Molyneux.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bradley Ihionvien (Colchester United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ellis Iandolo following a fast break.
Post update
Offside, Doncaster Rovers. Hakeeb Adelakun is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Bradley Ihionvien replaces John Akinde.
Comments
Join the conversation
Good luck
SCFC
Colchester were unlucky and were on top for the first 15 mins of each half....Rovers very sloppy at full back....both sides. Far too many crosses allowed....
However, Rovers persevered and, obviously believed they would win.
Tom Anderson - brilliant. ...Akinde - well marshalled.
4 goals for the third match in a row.
Just unbelievable!
We've got McCann......🎵🎶🎵🎶
RTID
Best of luck to Col U - hope you get the result needed on Saturday. Decent club & fans
Also, many thanks to Danny & Nicky Cowley for the classy congratulatory comments to my team, Pompey
Best to all
All the way to Wembley & beyond pleeeeease 😁