RICHARD Barker's late penalty secured a 2-1 home win for Hartlepool United over Doncaster.

In an explosive ending to the game, Barker drilled home from 12 yards after James Brown was felled in the area.

It was his second penalty in as many League One games, after netting at Luton on the opening day.

And there was still time for Pools to suffer their second red card in as many games, after Robbie Elliott was red carded.

He tangled with James Coppinger and referee Mike Dean allowed play to continue, only for an assistant to flag. Elliott, already booked, was given a second caution.

But Pools saw out the closing eight minutes with some ease.

They went in front on 42 minutes when Godwin Antwi's bullet header from a short corner powered in off the bar.

But Rovers levelled on 71 minutes, James Hayer diving in to head in a Coppinger cross from the right side.

Pools lost Antwi with an injury in the second half and they will now miss Elliott for next week's trip to Port Vale.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Budtz; McCunnie, Nelson, Antwi, Elliott; Brown, Liddle, Boland, Robson; Moore, Barker. Subs: Sweeney, Clark, Humphreys, Porter, Foley.

DONCASTER: Sullivan, Lockwood, Greer, O'Connor, G Roberts; Woods, Wellens, Wilson, Coppinger; Hayter, Heffernan. Subs: Guy, McCammon, McDaid, Green, Hird.

Referee: Mike Dean (Chester)