Northwich Vics 2

Doncaster Rovers 1

NORTHWICH Victoria had to survive almost 45 minutes of pressure as they hung on to beat Doncaster Rovers on Monday.

The South Yorkshire side pressurised the Vics midfield and dominated the second half as they desperately searched for an equaliser.

Vics had totally controlled the first period and created a string of chances that could have seen them 5-0 up before the break.

Robinson overhit an 11th minute cross as three players stormed into the area but Vics deservedly took the lead after a sweeping move turned defence into attack.

Simpson, under pressure close to his own goal-line, found Steve Walters in midfield. His long raking pass found Mark Birch flying down the right to cross for Ian Cooke inside the penalty area.

His header found Liam Robinson who neatly laid the ball out for Mark Devlin, who took his time and side-footed a 20-yard shot into the bottom left hand corner.

Robinson was causing problems for Rovers and he almost added a second when he shrugged off Lee Warren's challenge to shoot over the bar.

Vics were in total control and it was no surprise when they went 2-0 ahead.

Again Devlin was involved as his flick on from Jamie Bates's centre found Cooke. The striker swivelled to fire a right-foot shot underneath 'keeper Warrington.

Cooke could have grabbed a second 10 minutes later but his near post shot went narrowly wide after a good run from Birch.

Rovers hadn't troubled Lance Key but had a golden opportunity to get back in the match when Tommy Wright jinked into the area only to be brought down by Wes Simpson.

Shaun Goodwin stepped up to take the resulting spot kick but blasted his shot against the bar.

Vics almost killed the game five minutes before half-time when Robinson beat his marker to fire a shot from the edge of the box, but Warrington made a great save to his left.

The Drill Field's biggest crowd of the season so far was witnessing a great display from the home side, but Yorkshiremen didn't read the script and turned the game completely around.

Dean Walling got Rovers right back in it when his 20-yard drive thundered into the bottom corner following a mistake by Key.

The Greens 'keeper misjudged a cross and despite Bates clearing a shot off the line Walling made no mistake.

Rovers continued to pile on the pressure with substitutes Mark Hume and Noureddine Maamria continually causing problems in the Vics penalty area.

Key made several important saves before Vics fashioned an excellent chance to kill the game off six minutes from time.

Another sweeping move involving Birch, Robinson and Devlin saw substitute Neil Ellis's shot cleared off the line by Walling.

Vics: Key, Bates, Birch, Robertson, Simpson, Walters (Owen 90), Devlin, Terry, Cooke (Peel 88), Robinson, Vicary (Ellis 65).Subs not used: Illman, Crookes.MoM: Devlin - bossed midfield, scored and made one. Ref: A Smith (Castleford) Att:1688

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