Striker Mike Sheron saved Blackpool's blushes and ended his own personal goal drought to take the Seasiders into the LDV Trophy third round.
He scored his first goal for Blackpool since joining the club at the start of the season from Barnsley when he finished off a delightful 84th minute move.
The goal also ended Rovers' recent good run of seven wins on the bounce in a match in which they came back strongly in the second half after their goalmouth had led a charmed life in the first 45 minutes.
Rovers were torn apart time and time again by the running of Blackpool winger Martin Bullock but despite all his efforts the hosts missed chance after chance when they fell to Sheron and fellow striker Scott Taylor.
Rovers had few first-half chances. In the 18th minute Paul Barnes should have done better when faced with a one-on-one with new Seasiders keeper Bradley Jones, who signed just before the match on loan from Middlesbrough.
Jones had a useful debut impressing with his taking of crosses - a weakness in the Blackpool line-up this season.
In the second half Doncaster enjoyed a purple patch as Blackpool looked to be losing interest in the game.
Barnes, Paul Green and Ricky Ravenhill all had efforts which went just wide before Blackpool - inspired by Rick Wellens - finally broke the deadlock.
Wellens broke out of defence and chipped the Rovers back four with a superb ball that set Taylor free down the left. He pulled the ball back into the path of Sheron who had a simple tap-in from five yards.
After the game Blackpool manager Steve McMahon said: "It was a tough game. Doncaster are flying at the moment in their division while we have been struggling.
"They are a hard-working side and we had to dig in to beat them.
"Mike Sheron has waited a long time for that goal but he is a good player and a good pro and has been very patient." Rovers boss David Penney said: "I thought we should have nicked the game in the second half. We had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down under the nose of the linesman and I don't know why."