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It was a learning curve on Saturday for new Gillingham defender Alfie Jones.
The 21-year-old, on loan from Southampton, made a good impression on Gills boss Steve Evans after choosing him over Connor Ogilvie for the left-sided centre-back spot.
Jones didn’t let his manager down.
He said: “I want to play as many games as possible and hopefully I can have that starting shirt but obviously I need to perform.
“Hopefully I showed I could perform at this level and help the team.
“It was a good game, high tempo. There are lots of good teams in League 1 and Doncaster are one of them.
“It was a good insight as to what’s to come. I look forward to it.”
Jones made a vital block with an hour gone as Doncaster looked good for a goal. Madger Gomes thought he was going to score but the Gills defender got a block and the ball looped over the bar.
“It hit my thigh,” said the young defender.
“Putting your body on the line is something you have to do, when you are signed up to be a defender that’s what you have to do.
“I turned around and saw it looping and I was just hoping it didn’t loop over (goalkeeper) Jack (Bonham) and luckily it went over the bar.”
There was a moment where Jones got caught in two minds, however, but thankfully for Gillingham Doncaster didn’t capitalise.
He was dispossessed when deciding whether to clear long or pass back to goalkeeper Jack Bonham.
He said: “Hopefully next time that won’t happen.
“As the games come you gain experience, you learn more and you know what to do and (next time) instead of having those thoughts, you just do the right one and clear it.
“I need this as my next step in my career, pushing on in men’s football and these games are the ones you are buzzing for, it’s what you train for.
“Hopefully I have proved I can handle myself at this level and hopefully I can get more games.”
Manager Evans was certainly impressed.
He said: “I went to sleep (before the game) with one decision to make, Connor Ogilvie or Alfie.
“I thought Alfie, apart from that one little error late on, he showed why he is at a Premier League club from so young.
“He has excellent pace and he has good distribution.”
