It led to Doncaster's second goal when Brian Stock blasted home the resulting penalty and there was no doubt that the home side deserved to win the game.
They should have had more goals to show for an excellent footballing display, but Burnley defended heroically and fought all the way to pull one back and give the home side some anxious moments despite their numerical disadvantage.
It was a pulsating match played at a cracking pace with Burnley producing early pressure with former Manchester United winger Chris Eagles a constant threat.
Eagles had a shot deflected for a corner in the fifth minute before Doncaster settled to their task with Martin Woods having a first-time effort saved four minutes later.
Burnley had a lucky escape in the 16th minute when Paul Heffernan latched on to a long ball from Matt Mills but his goalbound shot bounced off advancing keeper Brian Jensen for a corner.
Jensen did well to tip away a cracking effort from James Coppinger in the 25th minute and Robbie Blake hit the bar with a curling free-kick at the other end eight minutes later.
But it was Rovers who took the lead in the 37th minute when Coppinger latched onto a blunder by Clarke Carlisle to lash the ball home.
Worse was to follow for Burnley when skipper Caldwell was dismissed after hauling down Wellens as he dribbled through towards goal in the penalty box.
Stock rattled home the spot-kick to the keeper's left but was ordered to retake the penalty for encroaching.
He made no mistake the second time as he hit the ball confidently into the opposite corner.
John Spicer was denied by Jensen before Martin Paterson gave Burnley a lifeline when he slotted home a low shot following a breakaway in the 62nd minute.
Both sides pressed for more goals but defences held firm as Rovers hung on to the point.