The last match of the festive season sees the Rovers facing old foes from the Conference days, Yeovil Town. A mild, dry afternoon was the platform for the match and, although both teams are in mid-table, a good game is expected. The Rovers, reeling from the dramatic last minute loss to local rivals, Rotherham United, made several changes to their line-up. Nick Fenton and Sean McDaid returned from suspension, Mark Albrighton came in for the injured Steve Roberts, Adam Hughes replaced Sean Thornton, Dave Mulligan took over from James Coppinger and Leo Fortune-West came in for the suspended Paul Heffernan. Yeovil made one change to the team that drew at home to Bristol City two days ago, Scott Guyett replacing the injured Colin Miles.The Rovers defended the Rossington end in the first half after a perfectly observed 1 minute's silence in memory of St John Ellis, the coach of Doncaster Lakers Rugby League club.

The visitors started the match but it was the Rovers who had the first sight of the opposition goal when they were awarded a free kick in nthe centre of the pitch some 25 yards from goal. Mulligan took it but put it just wide of goal. Yeovil won the first corner of the game after 7 minutes and five minutes later, out of the blue, scored the first goal of the game. JEVONS got the ball in the inside right channel, outpaced his marker and rocketed a shot from 15 yards into the top far corner of the net. Minutes later, the Rovers won their corner but it was cleared. A good ball by Mulligan gave McIndoe the chance of a shot on goal but it was blocked and diverted out for a corner. Further corners to each side followed before the Glovers began to dominate play. On 25 minutes, a corner on the Yeovil right was met with a fierce header by Skiverton going for the top corner but somehow Budtz got a hand to the ball to give another corner to the visitors, which was cleared by Fortune-West. Further pressure by Yeovil won them another corner on the half hour, which Budtz mis-punched straight up into the air but it was eventually cleared. A good five minutes for the Rovers followed although the goalkeeper wasn't troubled but at least the home team had kept possession for a lengthy spell. A spell of mostly midfield play followed but on 43 minutes, Jevons was put away down the Yeovil left, got to the byline before hitting a low cross to the middle. Budtz sprawled full length to push it away but Harrold, on the floor, put it back on goal only to see McDaid appear and clear off the line. The break came with Yeovil leading by the single goal.

The second half opened with Yeovil faster to the ball and having most of the possession in the first quarter of an hour. That's how long it took for the Rovers to get into the Yeovil penalty area. Only a timely interception by Fenton stopped Jevons and Budtz had to beat away a shot from Cohen as Yeovil sprayed the ball around the field. Substitutions were made to the Rovers team and gradually the Rovers began to show signs of the football and cohesion that had graced their displays before Christmas. On 64 minutes they won a corner on the left  but it was cleared. This was followed by a good move that came to Ravenhill, who hit a terrific low drive from 25 yards that was only just wide. Then a cross from Offiong, on the right, reached McIndoe, to the left of goal. He cut inside but a weak right foot shot went wide.  The Rovers were now pressing hard for an equaliser. On 81 minutes, a corner on the Rovers left was headed over by Albrighton. A series of corners to the Rovers came to nothing but the pressure was building on Yeovil. Crosses came in from Offiong, on the right but the Yeovil defence was resolute in their defending. Five minutes added-on time was announced. Collis saved from Thornton and Albrighton had a header saved following a corner from Thornton. It wasn't to be, however and the final whistle went, with the Glovers hanging on to their one goal, the same score as two years ago, the last time they visited Belle Vue.

Teams - ROVERS- Jan Budtz; Nick Fenton, Mark Albrighton, Steve Foster, Sean McDaid; Dave Mulligan, Ricky Ravenhill, Adam Hughes, Michael McIndoe; Leo Fortune-West, Lewis Guy.

Subs used - Sean Thornton for Hughes 51 mins; Richard Offiong for Mulligan 59 mins; Neil Roberts for Fortune-West 65 mins;

Subs not used - Sam Oji, Tonni Nielsen gk.

Cautions - Fenton, Hughes, Ravenhill,

Yeovil Town - Stephen Collis; Kevin Amankwaah, Terry Skiverton, Scott Guyett, Nathan Jones; David Poole,Paul Terry, Lee Johnson, Chris Cohen; Matt Harrold, Phil Jevons.

Subs used - Kevin Gall for Jevons 74 mins; Andy Lindegaard for Amankwaah 88 mins; Efe Sodje for Terry 90 mins;

Subs not used - Aaron Davies, Chris Weale gk.

Cautions - Collis, Terry,