County have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of League Two this weekend, as we take on Doncaster Rovers at the Eco Power Stadium.
A frozen pitch at Meadow Lane saw our game against Notts County called off last time out, meaning another free weekend for Dave Challinor’s side, who have only been in action once since New Year’s Day.
That postponement meant Wrexham had the chance to remove County from the top of the table for the first time since October, but Phil Parkinson’s side were beaten 1-0 away at Newport County. 3rd place Mansfield also had the opportunity to move within a point of us on Tuesday night but they too dropped points, drawing 1-1 at home to relegation strugglers Sutton United.
Those results mean our nearest challengers have failed to take advantage of their games in hand over the Hatters, as we remain two points clear at the top. Crucially, the gap to Crewe Alexandra in fourth place now stands at four points, with County holding a game in hand over the Railwaymen.
Wrexham are in FA Cup action this weekend away at Blackburn Rovers, meaning a win on the road would move us five points clear of them in the table. Mansfield, meanwhile, travel to play-off chasing AFC Wimbledon, Crewe host Salford City whilst Barrow travel to Notts County.
Hosts Doncaster also had their game away at Bradford called off at the weekend, meaning they were last in league action on the 13th of January, losing 1-0 at home to Newport. That result leaves Grant McCann’s side in 21st place, with just one win in their last eight league games.
Since we last met:
County were really starting to hit their stride when these two sides met back in October, with Tanto Olaofe’s late header securing a sixth straight league win for the Hatters to move us within a point of leaders at the time, Notts County.
For visiting Doncaster though, defeat left them 20th and just four points above the drop zone after picking up 11 points from their opening 12 games – an underwhelming start for a side tipped to be in the mix at the opposite end of the table after the appointment of McCann over the Summer.
Dave Challinor said at the time he felt Rovers were in a false position given the quality of their squad, and three wins from their next four in the league seemed to suggest they were back heading in the right direction going into November.
That run could have provided the spark needed for a rise up the league table, but instead it proved something of a false dawn. McCann’s men come into this weekend’s game on a run of just two wins from 11 games in League Two, with seven defeats in that time leaving them mired in 21st, eight points above the drop zone and 15 points off a play-off spot.
It’s their form at home that has kept them out of the relegation battle so far, with 20 of their 28 points picked up at the Eco Power Stadium – but only Sutton United have picked up fewer points than the eight they’ve managed on the road.
They made County work hard for those three points at Edgeley Park in October however, and over the festive period gained a point away at Mansfield before beating in-form MK Dons 3-0 at home – results that will give them belief heading into a big game against the leaders.
They’ve also been active in the transfer market in recent weeks, bringing in striker Billy Waters on loan from Wrexham to replace the outgoing Mo Faal, whilst winger Hakeeb Adelakun has joined on loan from Lincoln and could make his debut on Saturday.
Match Stats:
- There’s not been much to split these two teams historically – in the 84 previous competitive meetings, County have won 34 compared to Doncaster’s 35. That win at Edgeley Park back in October ended a run of four games without a win against Rovers.
- County will be looking for a first away league win at Doncaster since October 1969. We have played there 16 times in the league since then without winning, although we have been on the winning side twice in cup competitions.
- Manager Dave Challinor is looking for his 75th win as County manager, in what is his 133rd game in charge of the club.
