Sheffield Wednesday 0 Doncaster Rovers 2

Last updated : 16 February 2010 By Footymad Previewer
Elliott Ward's debut turned into a night to remember as the centre-back conjured up a breathtaking goal in a thrilling South Yorkshire derby which ended 2-0 in favour of Doncaster Rovers.

Sheffield Wednesday were totally outplayed by Sean O'Driscoll's slick passing team, who completed their first ever league double over the Hillsborough side.

Ward, on loan from Coventry, broke the deadlock with an eye-catching overhead strike before Wednesday midfielder James O' Connor turned the ball into his own net.

Doncaster, fresh from a victory over promotion chasers Nottingham Forest, spurned a chance to snatch the lead on 11 minutes, full-back James O'Connor's precise cross finding Mark Wilson who pulled his glancing header wide from six yards.

Wednesday hit back immediately, Luke Varney's low drive was blocked, the ball fell kindly to Tom Soares, whose fierce drive was deflected on to the foot of the post by the diving Neil Sullivan.

The veteran keeper pulled off another stunning stop as Wednesday turned the screw. Marcus Tudgay flicked the ball to Varney and when his effort was deflected Tudgay steamed in to finish with a low drive, but it was pushed on to the post Sullivan.

Doncaster's neat passing found a hole in the Wednesday rearguard, O'Connor picking out on-loan Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp, who was foiled by Lee Grant palming his dipping effort over the bar.

Sharp, who has hit 12 goals for the Keepmoat side in his loan spell, was kept out by Darren Purse after John Oster's long-range drive had been turned away as Rovers took control.

Midfielder James Coppinger and James Hayter both had long-range strikes smothered by Grant before Doncaster snatched the lead on 40 minutes.

Sharp pumped over an inviting cross as Ward, with his back to the goal, produced an overhead kick, the ball hitting the underside of the bar as it flew past the helpless Grant.

Sharp then saw his low drive take a deflection, the ball lashing into the sidenetting as Doncaster stepped up a gear.

The visitors added a second in the 64th minute, Sharp crossing into the box and as Wednesday failed to clear, the hapless O'Connor stuck out a foot, the ball spinning over the line from six yards.