Rovers book Wembley date

O'Driscoll's side rout Shrimpers at Keepmoat

By James Pearson   Last updated: 16th May 2008

Brian Stock Doncaster v Southend League One play-off semi-final

Rovers celebrate Stock's opener

Related links

Teams

Also see

Doncaster Rovers have set up a League One play-off final clash with Yorkshire rivals Leeds United following a convincing 5-1 win over Southend at The Keepmoat Stadium.

Former Newcastle man James Coppinger was the hero for Sean O'Driscoll's side with a fine hat-trick as Steve Tilson's side were put to the sword in South Yorkshire.

The visitors were made to pay for James Walker's early miss when Brian Stock slotted home from the penalty spot after Jason Price was brought down by Peter Clarke.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Paul Green nodded back across goal only for Adam Barrett to inadvertently redirect the ball into his own net under pressure from Price.

Rovers put themselves firmly in the control of the tie shortly before half time when Coppinger showed quick feet before dragging a right-footed shot past Darryl Flahavan into the far corner of the net.

Individual display

Coppinger bagged his second of the game on 52 minutes to end of hope of a comeback before curling home a delightful third in the closing stages to cap a fine individual display.

The visitors did have the last laugh however, when Southend's leading scorer Nick Bailey turned smartly in the penalty area to lash home past Neil Sullivan from close range.

It was Walker who missed a glorious chance to hand the visitors a dream lead after only eight minutes.

Defender Simon Francis burst down the right and played an inch-perfect pass across the penalty area to the far post, but Walker could only cannon his effort against the crossbar from six yards out.

And Southend were made to pay for the glaring miss when Stock fired home the opener from the penalty spot just three minutes later.

Defender Clarke was adjudged to have hauled down Price in the area and Stock stepped up to coolly slot the spot kick straight down the middle.

Breakthrough

The early breakthrough opened up the encounter and it was not long before Doncaster doubled their advantage.

James Hayter crossed to Green at the far post and he headed back across the face of goal, where Barrett could only bundle the ball into his own net after a mix-up in the visitors' defence.

The hosts all but booked their place at Wembley six minutes before the interval when midfielder Coppinger danced his way past three challenges to fire a low shot past the despairing Flahavan and make it an emphatic 3-0 at the break.

The hosts did not waste any time after the restart and Coppinger again jigged his way around a static Southend defence to rifle in a fourth and leave the visiting fans stunned. Coppinger's third from a set-piece added a gloss to the scoreline before Bailey fired home a consolation late on.