McCormack snatches late point
Rovers pegged back following defensive blunder
Last Updated: August 16, 2008 6:57pm
Guy with Rovers' opener
Ross McCormack's first-ever goal for Cardiff City rescued a late point against newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers at The Keepmoat Stadium.
Former Newcastle striker Guy thought he had scored his second winner of the week after chesting the ball down before thumping it home past on-loan Tom Heaton.
However, a mix-up in the Doncaster defence with five minutes left allowed McCormack to volley home from 12 yards out to snatch a late share of the spoils.
The home side began with a heightened urgency and put early pressure on a Cardiff defence that was missing former Holland under-21 Glenn Loovens, who has joined Celtic.
Exposed holes
The tricky James Coppinger continually exposed holes in a creaking Cardiff defence, which was just about held together by the experienced Darren Purse and Roger Johnson.
Both James Hayter and Brian Stock went close with long-range strikes for Doncaster, but despite their dominance failed to test the Cardiff's keeper.
Cardiff's Kevin McNaughton and Peter Whittingham both had shots from the edge of the penalty area but 38-year-old goalkeeper Neil Sullivan tipped Whittingham's effort over and McNaughton failed to hit the target.
Doncaster striker Guy was then denied by the Cardiff keeper from 20 yards out as the 22-year-old Tom Heaton continued to impress in his loan spell from Manchester United.
Good save
The keeper saved well from Gareth Taylor after the striker had another effort for Doncaster with a right-footed volley from 18 yards.
Doncaster struggled to regain their momentum immediately following the half-time break but midfielder Stock did his best to reignite the home side. His corner was met by Guy at the near post but he shot over the bar from 12 yards.
And then Guy struck with his second goal of the season before being replaced as the managers entered a dual of tactical substitutions.
Jay Bothroyd and Steven Thompson came on for Cardiff but it was McCormack that found the net with Sullivan stranded.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Lewis Guy
Ross McCormack
