A pulsating Yorkshire derby between Leeds and Doncaster finished in a 0-0 stalemate at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Chances aplenty in South Yorkshire but spoils shared
A pulsating Yorkshire derby between Leeds and Doncaster finished in a 0-0 stalemate despite both Championship sides putting on a thrilling football exhibition at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The game started at a breathless pace and both sides created great chances to open the scoring on a highly-charged night in South Yorkshire.
All of United's positive play came through Davide Somme and the frontman cannoned a shot off the bar before wasting a chance one-on-one with Neil Sullivan.
Rovers had opportunities of their own and only a saving tackle from Neill Collins prevented Billy Sharp from a first minute goal, while Dean Shiels curled a shot off Shane Higgs' post as the pendulum swung between the two teams in the opening period.
The second half continued at a frantic tempo but the quality decreased somewhat, although Somma was guilty of spurning a chance for Simon Grayson's side when he could only drag wide when released by Neil Kilkenny.
Leeds thought they had grabbed the winner 15 minutes from time when Somma pounced on a Sullivan fumble from Bradley Johnson's shot, but the 25-year-old was denied by the assistant referee's offside flag as an exhilarating game somehow ended goalless.
Rude awakening
Doncaster made just one change, with Shiels starting in midfield in place of Mark Wilson, while Leeds boss Grayson brought in five new faces after rude awakening at Barnsley.
Alex Bruce, Andrew Hughes and Aidan White formed a new-look defence, while Somma and Ross McCormack were partnered up front.
Had it not been for Hughes' brilliant block to thwart Sharp, Rovers would have been ahead inside the first minute.
But after the helter-skelter opening exchanges, both sides probed without asking serious questions until Somma crashed a 20-yard shot on to the crossbar in the 23rd minute.
McCormack teed up Somma moments later and the South Africa-born striker flashed another effort inches over, while Doncaster responded when Shiels curled a superb shot against the post at the other end three minutes later.
Leeds should have taken the lead in the 39th minute when Johnson's precision pass unlocked the home defence, but Doncaster goalkeeper Sullivan denied his former club by saving Somma's shot smartly with his legs.
Galloping
Somma pulled his shot wide after galloping on to Kilkenny's through-ball two minutes after the restart when he should have hit the target.
Max Gradel's angled drive, after being cleverly played in by Somma, was punched away by Sullivan and McCormack's swerving 20-yard shot was well held by the Doncaster goalkeeper.
The game remained delicately poised when Leeds substitute Robert Snodgrass replaced McCormack to make his first appearance of the season in the 67th minute.
Leeds thought they had broken the deadlock when Somma followed up Johnson's volley to fire home the rebound, but the referee's assistant spoilt the moment for over 3,200 away fans by flagging for offside.
Somma appeared to be shoved in the penalty area when setting himself to attack Johnson's cross but referee Andy Woolmer was unimpressed by Leeds' appeals. Doncaster attempted to mount a late rally as the game entered the closing stages, but an assured Leeds defence held firm.
