Avenue picked up where they left off ten short weeks ago with a sprightly display at Horsfall Stadium in their opening pre-season friendly against a strong Doncaster squad.

The Third Division champions did not field their full first team but the mixture of established players, promising reserves and trialists were under the watchful eye of Rovers' boss Dave Penny.

Avenue manager Carl Shutt was delighted with the performance of his side and impressed with his own handful of trialists.

Five of the players in the starting line-up were trying to earn a deal at Horsfall Stadium.

"I don't want to name the lads involved just yet because it's too early," said Shutt, attempting to protect his potential signings.

"But I was impressed with them and the regulars we had in the side. The first half was close and after 20 to 25 minutes Doncaster changed their style. They started trying to launch it over the top of our defence.

"That tells me that we were frustrating a very well organised group of players and it says a lot about the commitment of our side. We also matched them for fitness, at this stage that is excellent."

Avenue had a couple of early forays but a Rovers cross in the seventh minute just eluded Dave Mulligan and Paul Green as it curved through the home penalty area.

Visitors' keeper Stuart Jones had to rush out of his area to head away under pressure from an Avenue attacker in the 11th minute. Rovers then moved up a gear and Andrew Briton was forced into three good saves, the second two following teasing corners. Two more fine saves from Britton and the intervention of his crossbar at a header from a corner thwarted Doncaster again.

The breakthrough came nine minutes into the second period. A low cross to the far side of the six-yard box breached Avenue's solid defensive pairing of Michael Naylor and Dean Jones and Chris Beardsly slotted in.

Just five minutes later Steve Oleksewycz, last season's top scorer who had come on for the home side at half-time, got the vital touch. He raced in to take advantage of hesitation between Nick Fenton and keeper Jones to slide in the leveller.

Rovers claimed their win six minutes from time when Guy Ipua was first to react to a header into the goalmouth and he beat substitute keeper Jon Worsnop from close range.