Ex-Peterborough United boss delighted with showing against Andy Edwards team, though admits they equalised at crucial time

Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Ferguson felt they produced their best performance of the season against Leyton Orient in League Two on Saturday.

Callum Kennedy fired the O’s ahead at the Keepmoat Stadium, but Jordan Houghton equalised for the hosts just before half time.

Liam Mandeville then confidently dispatched two second half penalties to give Rovers a 3-1 victory and handed Andy Edwards a defeat.

“I thought we were good against Hartlepool United, but we were even better this time against Orient,” said Ferguson.

“It was disappointing to go behind and we do need to get more clean sheets, but saying that it was only the goal and the (Paul McCallum’s) header that Marko Marosi has had to save.

“Defensively we were strong and the display it was very good. We dominated the ball, moved it quickly and always had options. It was a performance from a very confident team.”

Orient headed to Rovers expecting an extremely difficult afternoon up against a side that had won six and drawn three of their matches at the Keepmoat Stadium this season.

And it certainly proved the case despite Kennedy’s stunning 19th minute opener with Ferguson’s team creating several chances.

Edwards watched his players defended well for long periods in the first 45 before Houghton struck just before the break.

Doncaster’s manager admitted the equaliser occurred at a crucial time, yet was pleased with his team before the goal.

“In the last two games, which I’m really pleased about, we’ve also maintained our concentration and we’ve not let things affect us,” said Ferguson.

“For example, Hartlepool equalising didn’t make a difference. Leyton Orient going ahead didn’t make a difference. We kept doing what we wanted to do. It’s important we really focus on maintaining our standards

“It was our best performance because we were so confident and so dominant and we came from behind. During the 90 minutes you don’t know how all these things are going to pane out so I’m pretty certain it was not far off our best.

“Our first goal certainly came at a really crucial time and it got us back into the game, though it didn’t alter too much.”