Match summary: Doncaster v United U21s

In another fabulous advertisement for the Bristol Street Motors-sponsored competition, the Reds went ahead through Sam Mather but were pegged back in the first half by Joe Sbarra's equaliser.

Captained by Dan Gore, in his first appearance of the season after injury, Travis Binnion's side competed well against Rovers but goals by Ephraim Yeboah and George Broadbent appeared to be keeping the south Yorkshire side on top of Group F. However, showing great resilience, United hit back with Ethan Ennis's slick finish and, in the dying seconds of injury time, scrambled a leveller when Louis Jackson was credited with the decisive touch. 

A 5-3 victory on penalties, with Dermot Mee saving from Broadbent, secured the extra bonus point.

The first real attempt of the game was an ambitious one, off target, from Kyle Hurst, from distance, for the home side. However, United opened the scoring with a goal of real quality. Ennis had already looked positive and purposeful when his latest burst forward was followed by a driven pass out to his fellow wide man Mather. The 20-year-old displayed sharp control and an even better finish, with the precise shot finding the bottom left-hand corner of Iain Lawlor's net.

The travelling fans in the away end certainly enjoyed the moment, releasing a huge roar and singing about going to Wembley, where the final of the competition is held.

A tough tackle by Gore, 20 minutes in, on Jack Senior announced he was fully returned to midfield combat and Doncaster gradually got on top, making their extra experience count. When a cross was only partially cleared, Sbarra pounced to beat Dermot Mee, with the aid of a deflection off Jack Kingdon, to make it 1-1.

Things were pretty even for the rest of the half, with Senior getting in the way of a dangerous cross by Ennis from the right and, at the other end, a nervy moment deep inside our box eventually led to Patrick Kelly rifling wide.

The hosts made their extra nous count at the start of the second half, moving in front five minutes after the break. Sharp raced through and the Rovers captain lashed a fierce drive against a post. The rebound fell to Yeboah and his composed response was to accurately, and impressively, find the net.

Mee pushed away an effort by Hurst but a lapse at the back allowed Broadbent to clinically take advantage with a long-ranger, yet United refused to buckle. With 17 minutes remaining, United progressed down the right through Mather and Ennis finished well to spark more noise from the away fans behind the goal. 

Thoughts of the amazing comeback at Barnsley in the previous game in this competition were inevitable but Luke Molyneux had two chances to put the game beyond the Reds. First, the substitute bent narrowly wide and then he skied a golden opportunity, even if he was convinced Harry Amass had made a decisive touch to keep it out.

Five minutes of stoppage time were virtually up when United won successive corners, with Mee going up to the opposing box. Remarkably, the keeper got a touch before Jackson appeared to force it home, with the players celebrating in front of our supporters. So it went to a shootout and, as Mee saved from Broadbent, five assured spot-kicks from Mather, Ethan Wheatley, Jack Fletcher, Amass and substitute Gabriele Biancheri ended the night on the perfect note.

United: Mee; Ogunneye (McAllister 64), Kingdon, Rowe, Amass; Gore (c) (Jackson 61), Devaney (Missin 85); Ennis (Biancheri 85), J.Fletcher, Mather; Wheatley.

Subs not used: Graczyk, Curley,  Sharpe. 

Scorers: Mather 11, Ennis 73, Jackson 90+6.

Penalty scorers: Mather, Wheatley, J. Fletcher, Amass. Biancheri.

Booked: Wheatley.