Shelton Martis' header just before the break was enough to send Town to defeat with Darren Ambrose going closest for Blues with a spectacular volley.

The on loan from West Brom defender headed in from six yards after Matt Mills had latched on to a long free-kick in the Town box as Doncaster ended their run of 10 hours without a goal at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Blues had enough chances to have got a point out of the game, Ambrose - making his first appearance since returning to the Club on loan from Charlton, seeing a wonderful volley tipped over by Neil Sullivan.

Richard Naylor hit the bar and substitutes Pablo Counago and Jon Stead both went close as Blues went down to only a second League defeat since August.

Town were forced to make one change from the team that beat Blackpool last week, Gareth McAuley picking up a hamstring injury in training on Friday, Alex Bruce coming in alongside Naylor at the back. David Norris was included in the starting line-up after his unsettling week.

Doncaster had the first opening, Naylor doing well to block Paul Heffernan's effort after Jason Price had escaped down the left flank.Bruce clearing the resultant corner over his own bar after Mills had played the ball back into the danger area.

Sullivan dealt well with Moritz Volz's cross in Town's first venture into the opposition half, then Naylor headed Owen Garvan's corner down and against the bar before Price scrambled the ball clear, partially with his arm on the quarter hour.

Volz was booked for a handball as Heffernan looked to break past the defender, a harsh decision perhaps but certainly a costly one with the German now suspended for a game after taking his yellow card tally to five for the season. Martin Woods' free-kick went straight at Richard Wright.

Alan Quinn tested Sullivan in the Doncaster goal twice in as many minutes as Blues looked the team with more of a cutting edge despite the home side's neat football.

Norris shot at Sullivan from 18 yards after Kevin Lisbie's effort had been blocked, then the former Plymouth player should have put Blues ahead on 40 minutes when Jon Walters headed a cross down into his path six yards out, Brian Stock doing well to hinder Norris with a challenge.

A minute later Doncaster grabbed the lead, Mills heading on from a free-kick and Martis beating Richard Wright with a header from close range to give Sean O'Driscoll's side the lead at the break.

Mills went into referee Kevin Friend's book after a foul on Norris on 50 minutes, Bruce following after a scuffle that ensued.

Blues made an early double change, Walters and Quinn replaced by Jon Stead and Ambrose, with Jon Spicer on for Sam Hird.

Stead sent a cross at Sullivan after good work down the right, Heffernan then booked for a late challenge on Volz.

Stock fired high and wide from 25 yards, Richie Wellens doing the same as the game increased in tempo after a subdued first-half.

Ambrose went close to marking his return to Town with a sensational volley from Garvan's cross that brought an equally brilliant save from Sullivan as Blues threatened an equaliser. Wright then took centre stage in the Town goal with a terrific stop from Woods.

Pablo Counago replaced Lisbie on 70 minutes and made an instant impact with a header from Ambrose's cross that tested Sullivan. Lewis Guy then on for Heffernan.

Spicer could have settled the game for Doncaster as he weaved his way into the Town box but his shot lacked power and Wright saved comfortably.

Counago went close with another header from a Stead cross with Stead then blitzing a volley just wide. The Yorkshire born striker having Town's final effort with a header that went over as Blues suffered only a second League defeat in 13 games.

Doncaster: Sullivan, Mills, Martis, Hird (Spicer 56), O'Connor, Wellens, Stock, Woods, Chambers, Price (Taylor 82), Heffernan (Guy 74). Subs not used: Hayter, Elliott. Booked: Mills, Heffernan.

Town: R.Wright, Volz, Bruce, Naylor, D.Wright, Norris, Garvan, Shumulikoski, Quinn (Ambrose 53), Lisbie (Counago 70), Walters (Stead 53). Subs not used: Supple, Balkestein. Booked: Volz, Bruce.