First-half goals from Tommy Smith and Ryan Stevenson and a penalty after the break from Jason Scotland saw the Blues to a 3-2 final day of the season win at Doncaster. Smith headed in the opener, then Stevenson hammered in a second, prior to Fabien Robert pulling one back for the home side. In an understated second period, Scotland netted from the spot, then in injury time Habib Beye completed the scoring.

Tommy Smith started at left-back in place of the injured Aaron Cresswell with Ibrahima Sonko, who leaves the club after today’s match, partnering Damien Delaney at the centre of the defence.

Sonko’s inclusion was one of two changes with Lee Martin returning to the team in his role behind lone striker Michael Chopra. Neither Grant Leadbitter nor Lee Bowyer were included in the squad, while Jimmy Bullard, 16-year-old Byron Lawrence and 18-year-old Joe Whight were on the bench.

The game got off to a bright start, Blues target James Coppinger shooting wide at one end, then Lee Martin, who scored his first Town goal at the Keepmoat two seasons ago, forced Rovers keeper Gary Woods to save well low down to his right. Emmanuel-Thomas shot over from the corner.

On five Martin blocked Woods’s kick with the keeper and the home backline already looking shaky. Moments later indecision between Woods and Habib Beye from a Ryan Stevenson pass led to the defender, a one-time Town target, putting the ball needlessly behind for a corner.

Stevenson’s well-struck 30-yard shot deflected wide on nine with the Blues having had much the better of the opening spell.

Town had won five corners within the first 10 minutes and from the fifth, they scored the opening goal. Martin sent the ball in from the left and Tommy Smith, playing left-back for the first time since his England U18s days, nodded home unmarked.

Drury lashed wildly over, then Martin played the ball too far in front of Michael Chopra with the Blues continuing to control the game with the home side giving away possession all too easily.

On the quarter hour, Sonko hammered a clearance against Delaney giving Rovers an opening, however, Simon Gillett’s cross failed to find a red and white hooped shirt.

Town went close to making it 2-0 from their sixth corner on 16, Daryl Murphy heading Martin’s cross against the bar, the ball failing to cross the line. Eventually it bounced out to Drury, who shot over.

The home side might have got back on terms in the 19th minute when Coppinger was found in space on the right. The former Exeter man laid the ball back to Fabien Robert, whose shot was diverted over the bar from six yards by James Hayter. The former Bournemouth man will feel he should have scored.

Town should have added their second two minutes later when Woods kicked out straight to Martin, who brought the ball into the area before striking the ball against the keeper. The Blues midfielder should have hit the target or alternatively played in Chopra to his left.

The Blues made it 2-0 in the 29th minute with a stunning first Town goal by Ryan Stevenson. An over-lapping Smith laid the ball back to the former Hearts man, who hammered a shot beyond Woods and off the underside of the bar. The linesman immediately indicated a goal and the Scot was congratulated by his team-mates.

Town were well worth their lead but on 33 Coppinger created an opening for Hayter, Lee-Barrett saving.

A minute later, however, Rovers had pulled a goal back. Gillett, a player who was understood to be interesting Roy Keane during his time in charge of the Blues, crossed from the left and an unmarked Robert slammed home from close range.

Robert beat Lee-Barrett again on 37 but having strayed offside, then two minutes later Coppinger shot low to the keeper’s right, but the former Hartlepool man claimed confidently.

On 43 Martin got his name in referee Scott Mathieson’s book having clattered into George Friend inside the Doncaster area. The midfielder had appeared to completely lose his footing as he ran towards the Rovers defender and the red card the home fans were baying for would have been very harsh. Both players were able to continue after treatment.

Chopra curled a shot which failed to trouble Woods, then in injury time the Rovers keeper did well to push a Drury effort from the edge of the box wide.

Town were good for their lead at the break with the home side having shown little going forward until their goal, while looking very shaky at the back and giving the ball away regularly in midfield.

Doncaster had come into the game more after their goal but the Blues had still had much the better of the half overall.

Martin was a touch lucky not to receive a second yellow card for a trip on Coppinger moments after the restart, the home side making little of the freekick from five yards outside the area.

On 51 Drury shot over after Martin had broken down the Blues left after a fine Stevenson challenge had won the ball.

Hayter turned a Robert cross over on 55, then four minutes later Martin, who was being booed by the home fans, shot wide after Emmanuel-Thomas and then skipper Carlos Edwards had brought the ball forward.

Friend got his name in the book for exacting revenge on Martin somewhat after the ball had gone on 63, then soon after Woods failed to keep hold of a Drury cross from the right but claimed at the second attempt as Chopra looked to pounce.

On-loan Celtic man Daryl Murphy was replaced by Jason Scotland in the 66th minute with Martin moving to the left wing. Jimmy Bullard replaced Chopra 10 uneventful minutes later.

In the 79th minute, the Blues were awarded a penalty when Beye upended Scotland. The Trinidadian took the kick himself and beat Woods to net his ninth goal of the season.

With 10 minutes remaining Byron Lawrence replaced Emmanuel-Thomas to become the club’s second-youngest ever at 16 days and 47 days.

In the final minute of normal time Scotland hit a 20-yard shot which Gary Woods pushed away, Friend just getting to the rebound before the alert Lawrence.

In injury time, Town failed to deal with a freekick into the box and Beye was allowed to turn and beat Lee-Barrett from close range.

The whistle went soon after to end the season, the Blues ending up in 15th in the Championship, two places below last year’s finish.

Town deserved the points on their first half performance with the game drifting into a rather typical end of season match after the break.

Town: Lee-Barrett, Edwards, Sonko, Delaney, Smith, Emmanuel-Thomas, Drury, Stevenson, Martin, Murphy (Scotland 66), Chopra (Bullard 76). Subs: Whight, Carson, Bullard, Lawrence.

Doncaster: G Woods, O'Connor, Friend, Beye, Husband, Hird (Bennett 61), Gillett, Oster (M Woods 76), Coppinger, Hayter, Robert. Subs: Bamogo, M Woods, Sullivan, Dumbuya. Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire). Att: 9,764 (Town: 1,266).

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

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