WITH Martin McIntosh and David Graham on the scoresheet in a 2-2 draw, there was a distinct feeling of deja vu about this match.
But while Swansea seemed like a point won, it was definitely two given away against Doncaster.
Neither manager could understand why referee Andy D'Urso disallowed Andy Booth's header on 70 minutes.
But Town, whose boss Peter Jackson presumed the experienced whistler must have decided Booth fouled while climbing to direct the ball home, could hardly claim they deserved to win.
Victory would have put them three points clear in second, but they paid the price for failing to find closure on the derby clash, twice allowing Doncaster to hit back after going behind.
First, in the 15th minute, the excellent Jason Price placed a shot out of Phil Senior's reach to cancel out McIntosh's eighth-minute opener.
Then, in the 57th minute, Price's midfield colleague Paul Green drove home another leveller after Graham struck five minutes before the break.
Town, chasing a fifth successive home win, began in lively fashion, and Booth's flicked header freed Chris Brandon on six minutes, only for the midfielder to fail to get the necessary power in his shot.
The fans didn't have long to wait for a goal, however.
Lanky frontman Leo Fortune-West conceded a corner, Dan Smith flighted over the flag kick and Nathan Clarke headed it on.
Booth's overhead kick didn't reach the goal, but fell neatly to raiding centre-back McIntosh, who prodded home his third goal in as many games.
Rovers' on-loan Rangers striker Ross McComack had the ball in the Town net after 11 minutes, but his effort was chalked off for a foul on McIntosh.
Then Town could have been two up when, on 14 minutes, Booth had a volley tipped onto the roof of the net by Danish goalkeeper Jan Budtz.
But instead of 2-0, it was 1-1 a minute later as the Town defence was caught cold in the wake of a handball appeal against Clarke.
D'Urso waved away Doncaster's claims, but as the ball broke to the edge of the area, Price, a recent £50,000 buy from Hull, picked his spot with a well-struck left footer.
Booth was Town's most potent force, and he set up Brandon, whose shot again lacked power, before heading over on 18 minutes than across the face of goal after 26.
Doncaster then created chances for Price and Green (after 31 and 33 minutes), but both men fired straight at goalkeeper Senior.
McCormack drove a seemingly dangerous 37th-minute free kick straight into the Town wall, and Rovers were soon left to rue their misses.
Right-back Simon Marples conceded a free-kick wide out for a push on left-back Smith, who fired in the set-piece.
It was headed back across goal by Booth to Graham, whose right-foot shot crept into Budtz's left-hand corner for the on-loan Sheffield Wednesday man's fifth goal in seven games.
Graham could have grabbed a second four minutes after the restart, but shot too high.
Then Senior produced a good save to deny McCormack from a Fortune-West lay-off.
Fortune-West and James Coppinger were then sacrificed for Michael McIndoe and Paul Heffernan in a 53rd-minute double change which soon brought results.
McIndoe fed McCormack down the left, and his square ball fell to Green, whose low drive squeezed between Senior and his right-hand post.
Booth had a low shot cleared and Gary Taylor-Fletcher fired over before Senior produced a double save on 70 minutes, palming away a Price shot before blocking McIndoe's follow-up effort.
Danny Schofield, on as 67th-minute replacement for Brandon, put in the cross which led to the disallowed goal, then went close in the 72nd-minute, soon after Jon Worthington's shot had been beaten away.
But Doncaster were still dangerous on the counter, and Senior completed a decent day's work by denying McCormack.
Man of the Match: ANDY BOOTH
The old campaigner was a constant handful for Donny. He had a part in both Town goals and then his apparently legitimate 'winner' was disallowed by Andy D'Urso.
Next page: Turning Point/How they rated >>>
Turning Point:
Doncaster manager Dave Penney sparked his side with a double substitution on 53 minutes. Their second equaliser came four minutes later. Peter Jackson unsuccessfully tried the same thing with nine left, when Pawel Abbott and Mark Hudson were introduced for Andy Holdsworth and Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
How they rated:
Phil Senior Might have conceded another two goals, but again pulled off some decent saves to deny Doncaster a win. Rating: 7/10
David Mirfin Worked as hard as ever in the right-back slot, but in common with a number of teammates, wasn't at his best. Rating: 6/10
Dan Smith With manager Mick McCarthy looking on, the on-loan Sunderland man didn't look as steady as at Swansea. Rating: 6/10
Martin McIntosh Scored for the third successive game but won't be as happy about another two goals being yielded. Rating: 6/10
Nathan Clarke Stood up well to the physical approach of Leo Fortune-West in what was another solid showing. Rating: 7/10
Gary T-Fletcher Had a couple of efforts on goal but a little too anonymous. Was replaced by Mark Hudson on 81 minutes. Rating: 6/10
Jon Worthington Strived manfully, but couldn't orchestrate the kind of grip Town's midfield needed to take on this contest. Rating: 6/10
Andy Holdsworth The man who has played the bulk of his football at right-back didn't look as comfortable as previously in midfield. Rating: 6/10
Chris Brandon Failed with a couple of shots and unable to make much of an impression against a solid Rovers right side. Rating: 6/10
Andy Booth Best man on the field for Town. Terrific in the air against two big centre-backs and created both goals. Rating: 8/10
David Graham Looked a quality player at times, kept the visitors on their toes and scored his fifth in seven games for Town. Rating: 7/10
Spotlight on the ref:
Essex's experienced Andy D'Urso was one of the few people in the ground who saw anything wrong with Andy Booth's 70th-minute header, but other than that, was reasonable.
Made three cautions, all for Rovers. Dave Mulligan and Leo Fortune-West both fouled Nathan Clarke while Graham Lee halted Jon Worthington.
Doncaster Rovers: Budtz, Marples, Mulligan, Lee, Wheater, Price, Horlock, Green, Coppinger (Heffernan, 53mins), Fortune-West (McIndoe, 53mins), McCormack. Subs not used: Roberts (S), Roberts (N), Blayney.
