Ironside, 30, equalled his best goal tally in a single EFL season on New Year’s Day, netting for the 15th time in 2023-24 as Rovers swept aside MK Dons 3-0 to build on a promising 1-1 draw at Mansfield three days earlier.
He plundered that exact amount two campaigns ago for previous club Cambridge United when his haul included a memorable FA Cup winner at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
But Ironside left the Abbey Stadium in the summer having failed to net in his last 15 outings for the U’s and, when he didn’t get off the mark in his first three games for Doncaster, he had gone more than six months – from Valentine’s Day to mid-August – without making the scoresheet.
That frustrating period represented his most fruitless time in front of goal since he went 23 appearances without hitting the target for the Blades as a teenage hopeful before eventually breaking his career duck on loan at Hartlepool.
His Rovers renaissance, though, has seen him score at a rate only previously witnessed during four seasons as a National League North forward with Kidderminster Harriers and Nuneaton Town.
Esta historia es de la edición January 07, 2024 de The Football League Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 07, 2024 de The Football League Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
ANTHONY REVELS IN U'S MOVE
INJURY-RAVAGED Anthony Scully says he is ready for a \"fresh start\" at Colchester United - but more importantly to be wanted again.
ADAMS SALUTES HIS SHRIMPS AFTER THEY NET FIRST GOALS
MORECAMBE manager Derek Adams breathed a sigh of relief after his side scored their first goals of the season and bagged their first win on Tuesday night.
NOW I'M HUNGRY FOR NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National LeagueJohn Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
ACE HENDRY MAKES HIS MARK AS MIKE ELATED
CALLUM Hendry's 18thminute winner made it back-to-back home wins for MK Dons, to leave a big smile on manager Mike Williamson's face.
BILLY'S STILL A WHIZZ AS ROVERS GO TOP OF PILE
More to come from us, says McCann
EVANS ABOVE! HE'S NOT A HAPPY CHAP
SUPER-SUB Aneke Chuks denied Rotherham a first away win in 22 months, leaving Millers manager Steve Evans in a rage.
PARKY'S COOL BUT DRAGONS ARE HOT!
WREXHAM boss Phil Parkinson knows a brilliant start to the season \"doesn't count for a great deal\" after beating local rivals Shrewsbury took them to the summit.
Forget the fee and be patient with Jay
JAY Stansfield's incredible £10m-plus transfer to Birmingham reminds me of when Arsenal paid Lille £72m for Nicolas Pepe.
YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALL NOW!
NOTTS County shot-stopper Alex Bass believes modern goalkeepers are just outfield players who are required to make saves.
'I'VE ACHIEVED A LOT - AND I HAVEN'T FINISHED!'
Former Wales international Williams eyes promotion with Gills