Grant McCann appeals to Lady Luck as Doncaster draw blank at Carlisle

Doncaster boss Grant McCann says his team just need a bit of “lady luck” in front of goal after they missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Port Vale.

Rovers remain third in League Two after a goalless stalemate with Carlisle, a contest they shaded in terms of chances created but without finding the finishing touch.

A frustrating day saw the likes of Kyle Hurst and ex-Carlisle man Jordan Gibson come close for Rovers, who saw defender Jay McGrath dismissed in stoppage time for a second yellow card.

McCann’s men have now scored just twice in their last three league outings as their promotion push stalls slightly.

“I thought on the whole it was a really good performance from us today,” McCann said.

“We were coming to face a team that are strong in possession and are starting to build under Mike (Williamson) so we knew we couldn’t let that happen. We wanted to be forceful and aggressive and I thought we did that the whole game.

“I thought some of our play was great at the top end of the pitch. I think we’re struggling in front of goal at the minute and I just think we need a bit of lady luck to shine on our side because the amount of blocks and top-class goalkeeper saves we’re seeing over the last few games is insane.

“The save today from their goalkeeper (Gabe Breeze) today to deny Kyle Hurst, it was a top, top save. Honestly, if that was in the Premier League they’d be showing it for days.

“I thought the performance was good on the whole. But we just didn’t get the goal to send our fans home happy.”

Carlisle thought they had pinched the points late on when Cameron Harper finished from close range only to see the offside flag quickly raised.

Manager Williamson said of that incident: “Apparently it was tight but I’ve not seen it back.

“I think everyone can see what we’re building and the strides we’re taking. But ultimately we were up against a very, very good team today.

“It’s about us keeping that progression. We just need that little bit of luck or for it to drop for us or that little ricochet. We got into some good scoring areas but I thought the heart, energy and endeavour we showed was really good.

“I know Doncaster have got some very good players and the longer the game went on, the stronger they got.

“Their manager has been there a while now and he’s taken them from a lowly position and into the play-offs. So for where we are at, to come out feeling disappointed that we’ve not won the game is a real positive.”