Preston North End kept alive their play-off hopes with a professional win.
Doncaster Rovers almost went ahead following a dour opening period but Dean Shiels was unlucky to see his looping header come back off the post.
The visitors then took the lead when Chris Brown met Ross Wallace's fine cross to head in from close range.
Billy Jones almost made it 2-0 with a header that flew over but Preston did seal the points through Neil Mellor's fierce second-half strike.
Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll: "The first 20 minutes was tight. Preston are a decent Championship side.
"But we gave up, I thought, after the first goal. We've got to set standards to be consistent game after game after game.
"People ask about targets and points, but we've always talked about performances and that has not changed."
Preston boss Alan Irvine on whether a play-off place is a realistic target: "Yes it is. Obviously we're relying on other teams to slip up badly, but it is.
"We just have to do our own job, finish the season on a high and see where we get to.
"The players have shown fantastic character all through the season and they are a terrific group to work with."
Doncaster: Sullivan, Chambers, Van Nieuwstadt, Mills, Roberts, Wilson (LuaLua 74), Martin Woods (Spicer 74), Wellens, Shiels, Hayter, Guy (Heffernan 64). Subs Not Used: Fairhurst, Hird.
Booked: Hayter, Wellens.
Preston: Lonergan, Jones, St. Ledger, Mawene, Wallace, Sedgwick (Carter 89), Williamson, McKenna, Nolan, Mellor (Elliott 75), Brown (Parkin 70). Subs Not Used: Neal, Chilvers.
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