Warren Feeney had equalised Greg Blundell's opener at the start of the second half, but dominant Doncaster ran out winners thanks to a long-range cracker from Tim Ryan and another from Blundell.
County started the brighter of the two sides, winning corners and coming close when Warren Feeney s fifth minute snap-shot from John Hardiker s cross went whistling by the Rovers post.
But the Stockport defence were completely helpless when James Coppinger continued a run he began in his own half past them and set up Greg Blundell to sidefoot the ball home in the 9th minute.
That set up an anxious period for County when keeper James Spencer lost out in the air to Dave Morley, but the defence cleared.
Spencer produced an instinctive save, throwing his arm straight up, to keep out Michael McIndoe s shot from the left.
Coppinger was proving a danger and should have scored when he cleverly took the ball into the box but shot wide.
County were under pressure, but still managed a chance when Jim Goodwin s cross was hooked over the bar by Lee Cartwright.
But the last few minutes of the first-half produced an assault on the County goal that they did well to survive.
First Ricky Ravenhill s shot through a crowd of players was cleared off the line by Ashley Williams with the same Rovers player shooting just over from the rebound.
In injury time Cartwright was in the right place on the line to head out Nick Fenton s header.
County forced their way back into the game when Chris Williams won the ball on the left and put through Feeney, who nodded the ball on and tucked it away past keeper Andy Worthington.
Spencer produced a couple of great stops to twice deny McIndoe as Rovers turned up the heat.
Left-back Tim Ryan produced a pinpoint shot from more than 30 yards to beat the impressive young keeper in the 65th minute.
And Rovers went 3-1 up three minutes later when McIndoe s cross from the left was turned in by Blundell for his second.
But Spencer was determined to let McIndoe through blocking another of his efforts immediately after the restart.
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Showing comments 1 to 18 and replies | View All
Jeff, Barnton, Northwich (20/11/2004 at 21:21)
Matthew Kearslake, California (21/11/2004 at 05:10)
Sammy bleats that he needs new blood but to be perfectly honest it's the manager that needs to be shipped out. He's had time and money to make it work but frankly we have the poorest team since the bad old days of constant applications for re-election to the Football League.
Time for action Mr DV and Mr K - Craig Madden has some credibility and a track record as a decent manager, having done well with the reserves. He was also a winner on the field as well so give him a try, before it's too late.
Mike Rapteam, Brinnington, Stockport (22/11/2004 at 05:58)
The game on Saturday summed it up - Rovers had 14 shots on target to Countys 2. Worst defence in the league, worst attack in the division - says it all really.
I'll take the job Mr DV and I'll be cheaper than the current option!
Arwi Goindown, Stockport, Cheshire (not Gt Manchester) (22/11/2004 at 06:07)
It's about time we got something half decent to keep the fans happy.
I say get rid of the current pie makers now - and bring back Hollands!!
As for the team, the manager and the board - well I think it's curtains for them!
Mafia Joe, Texas (22/11/2004 at 09:51)
GO AND GO NOW! and take MR NDV with you please
SM will never ever make a good football manager, we have all these Irish Internationals playing for us , the clue is none of them play for the national side anymore hello!
or rather Goodbye
Rob, Northampton (23/11/2004 at 09:32)
That's maybe why they won't sack SM, he will cost too much to be paid off. This is ok as a general principal, but there comes a time when investment is needed to bring in financial benefits in the future.
So what this means is as we tumble down the league/divisions and our income reduces from smaller gates, our expenditure also reduces creating a downward spiral to oblivion.
What CS are hoping/praying for is a miracle turn around in results which will possibly keep us in league one and possibly a new start next year.
This is completely different from last season, we are getting further & further behind with each game. Now, those of us who have been supporters of SCFC or any other club at the bottom for that matter know that these miracle turn arounds only usually come with either a change in manager ( Iain Dowie @ Crystal Palace) and/or significant investment from the board, and I don't think either will happen with CS.
They are not like any other football club board, they primarily wanted the association with SCFC for the ground.
I sincerely hope that I am very wrong with this but from the outbursts from NDV lately and the distinct inability to deal with such a manager, I can't see it any other way.
David H, Dukinfield (23/11/2004 at 12:01)
As for generating revenue this is one thing Stockport County have been hopeless at for many years, Look at Doncaster on Sat, how many presentations did they do at half time, they gave one woman B#1500, now they didn't give her that without having at least getting the same amount coming in again, also a full page on player sponsorship, and what do we have B#150 quid in a poxy half time draw.
If the club want some ideas ask the fans, I would put time in with the marketing people FOR FREE, as long as some of the monies went into the squad and some ground improvements
They started a stand up and be counted campaign, now is the time to be counted as a County fan, no demonstrations, or shouting for peoples heads, we need to fill the ground on Saturday, the footballs crap but we need to show these people that are running this business that we will not go away and we are in it for ever
UP THE COUNTY!!
Chris, Stockport, Gtr Manchester (23/11/2004 at 12:46)
Rob, Northampton (23/11/2004 at 13:28)
Chris, A place Rob will never see (23/11/2004 at 16:11)
Rob, Northampton (23/11/2004 at 16:30)
You know just like I do with a debt of B#60M? it won't be long before you'r visiting Crewe and Gillingham again, I suspect you don't watch city away though do you, or even maybe at home!!
Chris, On the move (23/11/2004 at 16:50)
Matthew Kearslake, Hadfield (but currently in California) (24/11/2004 at 05:52)
Chris, Birmingham (24/11/2004 at 09:04)
Chris's Old Man, Stockport (24/11/2004 at 17:11)
Andy Hartley, Stockport (24/11/2004 at 17:18)
Jimbo, Stockport (24/11/2004 at 17:19)
County are just not very good.
Peter Bear, Cheadle (25/11/2004 at 08:54)