But the referee Taylor has agreed to view the incident, on request of Doncaster, who don't want to go into the final show down without their star man. His decision will come before the Second Leg on Friday 16th May.

Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll said: "It was not a headbutt as you would normally describe a headbutt.

"If someone runs 20 yards and you get annoyed and put your head into someone's face, you are giving the referee the opportunity to produce a red card, whether you think that's right or wrong.

"But the referee has been brave enough to say 'look, if you think you have got a chance to appeal, give me a bell'."

Richard O'Kelly, Doncaster's Assistant Gaffer added: "I have seen it on the TV and it looked a bit harsh. You ask the question why their player has run 20 yards to confront Paul.

"If the referee sees that as intimidation, hopefully there will be something that happens afterwards. The referee has promised to have a look at the video again."

 

O'Driscoll who was delighted with the goalless draw on a warm Friday evening in Essex, isn't too sure about the tag of favourites being slapped on his team, and claims that it's all for the taking.

"If you look through play-off history, I think, in some senses Southend are now favourites. The expectation is on us," he said.

"The whole play-off games, whether Championship, League One or League Two are notoriously difficult for home teams because the expectation gets to people. This will be no different on Friday night and we will have to handle that.

"It is all square, we are not protecting a lead or anything, we have to go out and win the game," he stressed.

Southend manager Steve Tilson added: "I think Doncaster feel they have already done the job so hopefully we can turn them over up there and get through. Obviously, we would have liked to be going there with an advantage but we are still in the game and there is all to play for."

The fans are one of the most importnant things to a team, and O'Driscoll couldn't stress how much the Doncaster faithful needed to get behind the team, if a trip to Wembley and a year or more in the Championship is what the fans want.

"The Southend supporters created a great atmosphere on Friday – so if we can get 15,000 in at the Keepmoat and do the same, it will put Southend under the same pressure," he said.