Grant McCann admitted Doncaster Rovers were their own worst enemy after a 2-2 draw at Stevenage left points on the table, telling BBC Radio Sheffield: "We kept giving it away."
The match in brief
The sides shared the spoils at Broadhall Way on 29 August, a result that will feel more like a defeat to Rovers given McCann's verdict on how the game unfolded. Doncaster had enough of the ball to win the contest but could not stop surrendering possession in dangerous areas, allowing Stevenage back into a match they might otherwise have lost.
Two goals apiece meant neither side could take the three points, and McCann made clear he felt Doncaster had handed Stevenage opportunities they should never have been given.
McCann's verdict
"We kept giving it away," the Doncaster manager said after the final whistle. "When you do that at this level, you get punished. We have to be better with the ball."
His frustration centred on Rovers' ball retention rather than their defensive shape or their quality in front of goal. Giving possession away cheaply in League One invites pressure, and Stevenage made Doncaster pay on more than one occasion during the ninety minutes.
McCann has spoken previously about the need for his side to be competitive every week in the third tier, and a point from Broadhall Way is not a disaster. But the manner of the drop in concentration appears to be what irritated him most. Sloppy passing and misplaced decisions in midfield cost Doncaster what could have been a winning lead.
What it means in the table
The draw keeps Doncaster ticking over without catching fire, while Stevenage will take some encouragement from battling back to level. Both clubs remain in the mix in a division where fine margins separate the promotion hopefuls from those treading water.
For Doncaster, loanee O'Reilly and the other new arrivals will need to tighten the collective discipline McCann is demanding. Giving the ball away was a theme across the summer in pre-season; allowing it to carry into the competitive programme is the kind of habit that costs teams when the table tightens in the new year.
Stevenage, for their part, showed the resilience that has made them a difficult side to beat at Broadhall Way. Coming from behind or matching a strong opponent to claim a share of the points is the sort of result that builds confidence in a squad.
Looking ahead
Doncaster will need a sharp response. McCann's message to his players was direct enough after the final whistle, and the squad have been warned: turnovers at this level will be punished, and the time to fix the problem is now rather than after more dropped points.
Stevenage will carry momentum into their next fixture, knowing they can compete with sides capable of more controlled possession. The challenge for Alex Revell's squad is to turn draws like this into wins as the season develops.
Both clubs will be back in action next weekend, with the League One picture still very much open.
Frequently asked
- What was the score in the Stevenage vs Doncaster Rovers match?
- The League One fixture at Broadhall Way on 29 August 2026 finished 2-2.
- What did Grant McCann say after the Stevenage draw?
- Doncaster manager Grant McCann said his side kept giving the ball away and that teams get punished for that at League One level.
- Where does the Doncaster vs Stevenage draw leave both clubs in League One?
- Both clubs took a point from the 2-2 draw, keeping them in contention in a competitive League One table but leaving each manager wanting more.