Billy Sharp denied Keith Millen a winning start for Bristol City with a last-minute equaliser.
New Robins boss denied dream start by last-ditch Sharp penalty
Billy Sharp denied Bristol City a morale-boosting victory with a last-minute penalty for Doncaster to deny new Robins boss Keith Millen a winning start to his managerial career.
Rovers' club record signing blasted home his first goal in his new colours from the penalty spot after Jamie McAllister's last minute foul on Doncaster substitute James Coppinger.
It was a cruel blow for City, who had taken the lead early in the second half
when Damion Stewart headed home McAllister's cross.
Millen replaced Steve Coppell after his shock resignation during the week, but the Robins showed no ill-effects from the week's events.
Chances
Tottenham teenager Ryan Mason, who signed on loan this week for a month, was among six changes to Rovers' starting line-up, with Shelton Martis, Simon
Gillett, Martin Woods, Sharp and skipper Brian Stock all returning.
David James was recalled by Millen for City in place of Dean Gerken, while
Stewart and Marvin Elliott were also reinstated.
James held an early shot from Gillett and after Sharp had fired over the
crossbar was at his acrobatic best to tip George Friend's near-post effort
around the post as Rovers created the better first-half chances.
Doncaster goalkeeper Neil Sullivan comfortably dealt with City's first strike
on goal, an angled drive from Albert Adomah in the 24th minute as Rovers
continued to threaten.
Sharp and Gillett had further shots blocked and Mason curled a 25-yard effort
just wide for the home side, but City went close to snatching the lead just
before the break when Stewart headed Jamie McAllister's free-kick over the
crossbar.
Deadlock
The visitors took less than two minutes to break the deadlock after the
half-time break.
McAllister again supplied the cross, this time from the right, and Stewart
swooped to head home into the bottom corner.
Adomah dragged another shot wide when well placed soon after as City looked to build on their lead and David Clarkson forced Sullivan into a fine save with an angled drive just after the hour-mark.
Rovers skipper Stock, on international duty for Wales in midweek, was replaced by James Coppinger, while Thomas was handed his first Doncaster appearance when Martis was forced off injured in the 74th minute.
Dean Shiels was off target with a left-footed shot from the left side of the
area and Sharp had another effort blocked by Liam Fontaine.
But Rovers were rewarded in the closing stages when Coppinger was upended by McAllister in the area and Sharp - a £1.1million capture from Sheffield United stepped forward to slam home his spot kick.
Doncaster almost snatched all three points at the death, but substitute Steve
Brooker blazed over from six yards.
