Rovers too Sharp for QPR

Sharp: On target

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Billy Sharp continued his fine run of form as Doncaster defeated Queens Park Rangers 2-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The on-loan striker netted his fourth goal in five games to fire Rovers ahead in the 53rd minute and Dean Shiels added a second goal 12 minutes later.

The result relieves some of the pressure on Doncaster, while QPR remain in the top six but will feel they missed an opportunity to strengthen their hold on a play-off place.

Rangers had an early opportunity to open the scoring when Wayne Routledge got to the byline and cut the ball back for Akos Buzsaky, who drilled his shot over the crossbar from 12 yards out.

Doncaster responded and it took a fine fingertip save from Radek Cerny to keep out John Oster's free-kick from just outside the penalty-area after 11 minutes.

Mikele Leigertwood tried his luck from long range but his left-footed effort was never going to trouble Rovers goalkeeper Neil Sullivan.

Shiels was presented with a sight of goal at the other end, but Cerny comfortable saved his effort from 20 yards out.

Rangers were being reduced to shots from long range and winger Routledge got his effort horribly wrong 10 minutes before half-time.

Alert

Oster was causing the visitors' defence a few problems and Cerny had to be alert to keep out the former Wales midfielder's venomous drive.

Hoops manager Jim Magilton made a change at half-time, with the on-loan midfielder Adel Taarabt replacing big-money summer signing Alejandro Faurlin.

And Rangers were almost in front just a minute after the break when leading scorer Jay Simpson flashed a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

But it was Rovers who seized the initiative after 52 minutes when former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune crossed and the clinical Sharp was on hand to convert from close range.

Magilton introduced Patrick Agyemang and Alessandro Pellicori in a bid to get his side back in the game.

But Rovers doubled their lead 64 minutes in when Shiels capitalised on a mix-up in the Rangers defence to score with a deflected strike that looped over the helpless Cerny.

The Londoners finally had their first shot on target a minute later but Taarabt's free-kick was comfortably dealt with by veteran Rovers keeper Sullivan.

Shiels tried his luck from 25 yards out but Cerny made a comfortable save.

Rovers never looked like surrendering their lead and they almost added a third goal when James Coppinger's right-footed drive from long range was saved by the busy Cerny.

And Coppinger came close again two minutes from time, but Cerny produced a fine save to keep out the striker's powerful drive.