Doncaster recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season after a 2-1 home success over Burnley.
Coppinger and Stock on target for hosts
Doncaster Rovers recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season after a 2-1 home success over Burnley.
James Coppinger put Rovers ahead on 37 minutes and three minutes later Brian Stock converted from the penalty spot after Steven Caldwell was sent off.
Martin Paterson pulled a goal back for the high-flying Clarets in the second half, but Rovers held on to boost their prospects of Championship survival.
The in-form home side soon carved out an early opportunity as Rovers defender Matthew Mills' hopeful punt up field fell kindly to Paul Heffernan, whose shot from 18 yards out was well saved by Brian Jensen.
Clarke Carlisle's header forced Doncaster goalkeeper Neil Sullivan into a fine save before Robbie Blake's 31st-minute free-kick rattled the crossbar.
Self-destruct button
But it was the home side who took the lead 10 minutes before half-time as the visitors pressed the self-destruct button.
A howler from Carlisle gifted Rovers the lead as he missed a routine interception and the ball fell to a grateful Coppinger who tapped home to make it 1-0.
And then, two minutes later, Burnley captain Caldwell received a straight red card after hacking down Richie Wellens in the area.
Rovers skipper Stock stepped up to dispatch the resulting penalty to make it 2-0 at the second time of asking after referee Trevor Kettle ruled out his first attempt for encroachment.
The home side were keen to make their most of their numerical advantage and Jensen was forced to make saves from Wellens and Heffernan as Rovers piled forward in the second period.
But it was the visitors who were the unlikely scorers of the third goal in the 62nd minute to breathe life into the game.
Clarets top goalscorer Paterson applied a cool finish to Wade Elliott's incisive pass from just inside the area to give Owen Coyle's side a renewed hope of stealing a result.
However, the goal seemed to fill the home side with even more determination and two efforts in quick succession from Wellens and Coppinger came close to extending their lead.
