Rochdale 2 Doncaster Rovers 2: Darren Ferguson is left both angered and perplexed

Craig Alcock was controversially sent off for two bookable offences before Rochdale made it 2-2 in the ‘97th’ minute after five minutes of added time was called. Rovers remain four points from safety with only six games left to play.

“I wonder at times if the officials realise what we’re playing for,” said Ferguson.

“We’re playing to stay in League One. The ramifications of that if we go down are huge for everyone at the football club, not just the players and myself.”

Alcock’s first booking came after the defender collided with Rochdale substitute Peter Vincenti.

Ferguson said: “It’s a disgraceful challenge on my player. So I asked the fourth official whose foul it was. He says it’s ours. I ask if he’s told the referee and he said no. So I ask if he’s going to tell him and he said yes. The next thing the referee has booked my player.

“He never told the referee. We’re fighting for our lives and you’re getting nonsense like that. I don’t understand this fourth official thing. He’s there for a reason.”

Rovers had led 2-1 in the game after goals from Mitchell Lund and Andy Butler overturned Rochdale’s lead through Callum Camps. But just when they thought they had secured a first win since January 3, Niall Canavan grabbed the equaliser.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty (Lund 84), Eastham, Canavan, McNulty, Allen, Rose (Bunney 71), McDermott, Camps, Mendez-Laing (Vincenti 71), Holt. Unused substitutes: Lancashire, Collis, Cannon, Syers.

Doncaster Rovers: Matthews, Lund (Middleton 75), Taylor-Sinclair, Butler, Alcock, Calder (Chaplow 74), Coppinger, McCullough, Rowe, McSheffrey (Tyson 78), Williams. Unused substitutes: Evina, Stuckmann, Mandeville, Stewart.

Referee: D Bond (Lancashire).