COYLE'S TURKEYS GIVEN A STUFFING; CHAMPIONSHIP In association with COMMERCIAL VEHICLES BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE.

DONCASTER 2

BURNLEY 1

DONCASTER scored two goals at home for the first time this season to stuff Owen Coyle's turkeys.

Burnley boss Coyle has a miserable Christmas with back-to-back defeats.

And this setback was hard to take after the Clarets gifted Rovers the points.

Clarke Carlisle was to blame for James Coppinger's opening goal on 37 minutes.

The centre-back tried to clear a high ball but sent his header backwards to Coppinger, who beat keeper Brian Jensen to notch his first goal of the season.

Two minutes later Steven Caldwell tripped Richie Wellens to concede a penalty and get a straight red card.

Brian Stock converted to make it 2-0 and leave Coyle shaking his head in disbelief.

And Caldwell was left to reflect on a three-match ban that will see him miss his side's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham.

Martin Paterson pulled a goal back for the visitors with a smart finish just after the hour mark.

Buttoo much damage had beendonefor Coyle's men to rescue a lost cause.

Coyle said : "We felt comfortable but the first goal was self-inflicted. We shot ourselves in the foot and we have to hold our hands up.

"He's misjudged the ball.

We switched off and felt sorry for ourselves.

"Ithoughtitwasapenalty.

We will lick our wounds.

"The last two results have been disappointing but we still have a lot to look forward to.

"We are still in the top six and have an unbelievable second half of the season to come."

The only thing Coyle was left feeling grateful for was the fact that ref Trevor Kettle failed to show Chris Eagles a straight red for lashing out atkeeper Neil Sullivan as his frustrations boiled over.

Donnyboss Sean O'Driscoll said: "We kept our composure well and should have been out of sight before the end. It's been a great week for us so far.

"Little things can go for you or against you but we have not bemoaned our luck or looked for excuses so far.

"This division revolves around little incidents and they went for us this time, but generally I thought we were well worth the win."

Clarke Carlisle was to blame for James Coppinger's opening goal on 37 minutes.

The centre-back tried to clear a high ball but sent his header backwards to Coppinger, who beat keeper Brian Jensen to notch his first goal of the season.

Two minutes later Steven Caldwell tripped Richie Wellens to concede a penalty and get a straight red card.

Brian Stock converted to make it 2-0 and leave Coyle shaking his head in disbelief.

And Caldwell was left to reflect on a three-match ban that will see him miss his side's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham.

Martin Paterson pulled a goal back for the visitors with a smart finish just after the hour mark.

Buttoo much damage had beendonefor Coyle's men to rescue a lost cause.

Coyle said : "We felt comfortable but the first goal was self-inflicted. We shot ourselves in the foot and we have to hold our hands up.

"He's misjudged the ball.

We switched off and felt sorry for ourselves.

"Ithoughtitwasapenalty.

We will lick our wounds.

"The last two results have been disappointing but we still have a lot to look forward to.

"We are still in the top six and have an unbelievable second half of the season to come."

The only thing Coyle was left feeling grateful for was the fact that ref Trevor Kettle failed to show Chris Eagles a straight red for lashing out atkeeper Neil Sullivan as his frustrations boiled over.

Donnyboss Sean O'Driscoll said: "We kept our composure well and should have been out of sight before the end. It's been a great week for us so far.

"Little things can go for you or against you but we have not bemoaned our luck or looked for excuses so far.

"This division revolves around little incidents and they went for us this time, but generally I thought we were well worth the win."

CAPTION(S):

DOUBLE BLOW Coyle reeling from two defeats