Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson refuses to be disheartened by Carlisle defeat

Rovers were let down by poor finishing as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat, with Tommy Rowe’s late goal providing scant consolation.

While he bemoaned his side’s performance in front of goal, Ferguson was largely pleased with their overall game.

And with Rovers remaining top of League Two due to Plymouth Argyle’s surprise defeat to Leyton Orient and, more importantly, 11 points clear in the automatic promotion place, Ferguson was keen to keep a level head.

“I certainly wasn’t getting carried away by the wins we were having and the great run,” he said.

“And I’m not going to get too down about one defeat.

“We’ve just got to make sure we stick to our beliefs and trust in what we’re doing.

“Up to now it’s been fine and the most important thing is we don’t change.

“We feel we’re capable of winning games and we’ve shown that. We’re top and we’ve been the most consistent team this season.

“Now we’re going into the last third and we’ve got to make sure we’re the most consistent in the last 15 games. If we are then we’ll have done our jobs. Points wise we’re still ahead of where we need to be.”

Ferguson added: “It was a very quiet dressing room and it’s not a good feeling when you lose a match.

“We’re pretty sick after losing that game.

“They’re a good team Carlisle and we knew that. It’s just unfortunate we didn’t take our chances, especially at 0-0 because I think you’d have seen a different game.”

The Rovers boss confirmed Andy Butler was withdrawn after the warm-up due to illness.

Ferguson said: “We wanted to give him the warm-up but there was no energy in him so it was a straight swap for Joe Wright. He’d been sick last night. He’d eaten pre-match but he was sick again.”

Ferguson expects Butler and fellow defender Mathieu Baudry to be fit to face Luton Town on Saturday.