The Town could move up to third with a win tomorrow
The Hatters head north to face league leaders Doncaster Rovers with one thing on their mind according to gaffer Nathan Jones as his team look to break into the top three – winning!
Victories over Crawley Town and Hartlepool United at home in the last week have maintained the Hatters’ position of fourth in Sky Bet League Two.
Carlisle remain three points clear of Town in third, but with a superior goal difference, Jones’ boys could snatch that position with a win at the Keepmoat Stadium and defeat for Keith Curle’s team at Wycombe.
Doncaster’s ten-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at Carlisle in midweek, but they remain top of the table, three points clear of second-placed Plymouth Argyle.
Darren Ferguson’s side have only lost six times in 31 league matches, but one of those defeats came at Kenilworth Road in September, when the Hatters ran out 3-1 winners.
Hatters gaffer Jones is looking forward to tomorrow’s fixture, as he thinks it is one that could prove to be vital in his side’s promotion push.
He said: “We have played Doncaster once this season and we have beaten them. They were in form when they came here. Now we are in good form, it’s going to be a cracking game.
“These are the games you want. These are the games that define your season in terms of where you end up.
“Doncaster will be a very, very difficult side to play against and I know that we are, because I see us more than I see any other side.”
The Town boss will be looking to extend his side’s run of three straight wins in all competitions, and he wants to continue that vein of form regardless of who the opposition are.
“We are in good form and we are going there to win the game because that’s what we need to do,” Jones continued. “A draw is better for Doncaster than it is for us, but we never go anywhere to draw a game.
“I can’t envisage us going to Manchester United and wanting to draw the game, so we won’t be doing that on the weekend.”
The Hatters have faced Doncaster a total of 23 times. Of those meetings, the Hatters have won 11, drawn seven and lost five. Their most recent match was that wonderful 3-1 victory at Kenilworth Road in September. James Coppinger gave the visitors the lead, before Cameron McGeehan tapped in Stephen O’Donnell’s cross to level.
Jack Marriott put the Town in front with a smart finish from Danny Hylton’s flick, then McGeehan rounded off the scoring after Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu had been upended in the penalty area, smashing the ball down the middle.
Tomorrow’s match will be refereed by Darren Deadman, who has taken charge of 34 matches this season, handing out 122 yellow cards and seven red cards.
He has overseen two Town matches this season, both 2-1 losses – the FA Cup exit at Accrington and the defeat at home to Grimsby in the league.
The Hatters' allocation for tomorrow's match has sold out, but fans can pay on the day from the Club Doncaster Academy Reception.
Full match commentary will be available to Hatters Player subscribers, with the LTFC live Wall in action from 1:30pm.