Crystal Palace

FA Cup

Doncaster Rovers

And although Palace and Doncaster have not exactly been regular opponents historically, this will be the second cup tie between the two clubs, in the space of just six years.

You have to go back to September 1959 for our first ever competitive meeting with Doncaster, a Division Four clash after Rovers suffered back-to-back relegations.

Palace came out on top with a 4-0 victory and backed it up with a 2-1 win on our first ever away trip to the old Belle Vue ground – Rovers’ long-time home – the following April.

That season, it wasn’t quite enough to help sneak the Glaziers into the promotion picture, with Palace ending the campaign in eighth place. 

It was a different story the following year. Palace once again did the double over the South Yorkshire side, this time the season ended in promotion glory after finishing in second place.

15 years would pass by before our paths next crossed, with Palace sent up to the Belle Vue for a League Cup second round tie, Doncaster progressing that time with a 2-1 win. The two would not be in the same division again until the 2008/09 season, following Rovers’ promotion to the Championship.

A memorable battle in wintery conditions took place in December that year at Selhurst Park. Doncaster’s Paul Heffernan gave the visitors a surprise early lead after planting a header past Julian Speroni.

Palace managed to draw level through Shefki Kuqi, the big Finn smashing home a penalty after he was brought down in a goalscoring position, Doncaster defender Matt Mills sent off as a result.

But Rovers very nearly held out for a surprise point, defending with everything they had, while Palace lost Kuqi who limped off injured. Thankfully his replacement got the winner in the nick of time, Alan Lee side-footing home from close range in the 89th minute and saving the day for Neil Warnock’s Eagles.

### Our most recent meeting

The FA Cup last threw Palace and Doncaster together back in 2019 – albeit a round later than this season. To date, it is the only FA Cup tie between the two clubs.

Back then Rovers were a League One side and had come through four rounds already, knocking out Championship outfit Preston along the way, before they were rewarded with a home draw against Roy Hodgson’s team.

It’s never an easy task to go away to a lower-league team and progress smoothly, particularly when the quarter-finals are in sight. On this occasion, however, Palace’s progress was rarely in doubt.

A wonderful individual strike from Jeffrey Schlupp got the Eagles in-front, before German midfielder Max Meyer headed home a second just before the interval. Doncaster continued to battle away after the break, but it was enough for Palace, who had booked their place in the last eight.

The fourth round tie next month will mark our first return to the Eco-Power Stadium since that win - hopefully we see a similar result!

The FA Cup fourth round draw has given Crystal Palace an away trip to Doncaster Rovers with all ties set to be played across the weekend of Saturday 8 February.


We’ve met before: Palace, Doncaster and previous cup meetings

Doncaster Rovers v Crystal Palace (2025-02-08)

The Keepmoat Stadium

FA CupThe Eco-Power Stadium

News & Video

Stats

Club

Club

We’ve met before: Palace, Doncaster and previous cup me...

Latest videos

Recent Meetings

FA Cup

Head-To-Head

Form

Season so far

Doncaster Palace

FA CupThe Eco-Power Stadium

News & Video

Stats

Club

Club

We’ve met before: Palace, Doncaster and previous cup me...

Latest videos

Recent Meetings

FA Cup

Head-To-Head

Form

Season so far