A superb Ian Westlake-inspired performance at rain-soaked Withdean put Albion within a point of the play-off places with a game in hand.
The on-loan Leeds midfielder was terrific against Doncaster in what was arguably Albion's best home display of the season.
Westlake caught the eye with one stunning volley turned round by Neil Sullivan in the first half and a superb bit of trickery out wide on the right in the second half. On that occasion, he burst into the box, shot for goal, Sullivan could only parry the ball straight to Glenn Murray and the former Leeds 'keeper made a quality second stop from Murray's header.
After weathering early Doncaster pressure, Albion changed their shape to cope with the visitors' fluent passing and then had to adjust again when Matt Richards went off injured after only 25 minutes.
Kerry Mayo came on to slot into his familiar left back berth and put in a terrific shift, possibly to the surprise of many.
Indeed it was Mayo's determination which led to the only goal of the game. He won the ball in the left midfield channel and released Nicky Forster for a run on goal. Forster burst into the penalty area and went tumbling down. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick although the protests from the Doncaster players were long and resulted in two bookings. Interviewed on SCR afterwards, Forster admitted there had been little contact.
But with the award made, Forster stepped up to take the penalty only to see Sullivan guess right and save his initial shot. Fortunately the ball rebounded nicely to Albion's no.9 who reacted quickest to slot it home.
Tommy Elphick and Joel Lynch did brilliantly at the back to repel everything Doncaster threw at them and Andrew Whing was on top form, snuffing out any potential threat from much-derided former Albion frontman Mark McCammon. Unfortunately, Whingy's enthusiasm once again got the better of him as the final minutes ticked away and the yellow card issued - one of many the referee brandished - means under the totting up rules he'll miss the games against Swindon and Forest.
The Withdean crowd really got behind the Albion in a way normally only seen at away games and Nicky Forster was warmly saluted when he gave way to Gary Hart in the final few minutes. Hart, though, squandered an unbelievably easy chance to seal the game within only a few seconds of entering the action. Cox set him up with an exquisite pass to beat the offside trap but Hart couldn't compose himself to control the ball and shoot and the chance went begging.
Sullivan then went upfield as Doncaster had a free kick in a dangerous position in the four minutes added time. There were bodies flying around everywhere and Sullivan appeared to try to punch the loose ball goalwards, which the referee missed. But the final whistle finally blew and a relieved crowd and team celebrated with some passion.
Albion (marks out of 10):
Kuipers 8; Whing 8, Elphick 8, Lynch 8, Richards 7 (sub Mayo 8); Cox 9, El-Abd 8, Thomson 7, Westlake 9; Murray 8, Forster 9 (sub Hart).
By Nick TurrellLabels: Doncaster, League One, Nick Turrell
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