MATCH RESULT: SALFORD FC 3 - 0 DONCASTER ROVERS FOLLOWING A PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCE FROM MATT SMITH

Tonight's 3-Nil Win over Doncaster Rovers was the boost the Ammies were hoping for after last Saturdays stoppage time goal saved the club from losing against Swindon.

Within the opening minute of the game at the Eco-Power Stadium, City were already one up after a shocker of a goal from the head of Matt Smith as the ball rebounded off the cross bar, sending the Rovers into panic mode.

The goal would be just the first of the night for Smith who just 25-minutes later put the ball into the back of the net with his head once more after Ingram effortlessly swung it in from the back post.

By the half time whistle the Ammies were two goals up and looking strong. Four minutes added on for stoppage time almost saw a third for Salford after a header from smith found Watsons feet in the box but it was not to be as the ball sailed over the top of the net.

The whistle was blown to the sound of Boo's from the Doncaster crowd.

After the break, the teams returned to the pitch and a change to the Salford line-up  with Kelly N’Mai replacing Ethan Ingram.

It wasn't long before Salford were looking dangerous at the Rovers goal line as a header flicked by Zain Westbrooke from a Molyneux cross, tantalisingly hit the top of the cross bar sending the ball out of play with 60 minutes now passed on the clock.

Doncaster's premature celebrations were muted as Joe Ironsides header into the net was deemed to be offside by the Ref.

Rovers hopes were raised but a header from Faal went wide leaving him raging with the linesman for raising his flag.

Things quickly turned back in Salford's favour with yet another in the net from hero of the night Matt Smith who scored his hat-trick for the Ammies with a rebound from a shot from Declan John. This was the third goal of the night from only three attempts on goal.

With just 5 minutes to go of normal time, Smith almost made it a fourth but his header flew over the cross bar and sailed behind the net.

With 6 minutes added on it was clear that short of a miracle the three points were coming back home with Salford who face their second away game of the week this weekend with the team facing Barrow at the So Legal Stadium on Saturday (28th October).

Full-time whistle blown and it was all over, Smith was utterly phenomenal but a man is only as good as the team that supports him and Salford were in a class of their own this evening. Doncaster were made to pay dearly for squandering opportunities by a ruthless Salford display in the box.

And with that, on to the So Legal Stadium for the next battle.

Photo: Salford City FC

Salford: Alex Cairns, Ethan Ingram (Kelly N’Mai, 46), Declan John, Adrian Mariappa, Elliot Watt, Ryan Watson, Stephen Mallan, Matt Smith, Luke Bolton, Luke Garbutt, Liam Shephard

Subs: Joe Wright, Matthew Lund, Marcus Dackers, Djavan Pedro, Liam Humbles, Sandro Da Costa

Rovers: Louis Jones, Tom Anderson, Joseph Olowu (Jack Senior, 66), Luke Molyneux, Harrison Biggins (George Broadbent, 66), Tom Nixon, Owen Bailey, Joe Ironside, Zain Westbrooke, Ben Close, Mo Faal

Subs: Ian Lawlor, Deji Sotona, Jack Degruchy, Jack Goodman, Will Flint