There was a certain inevitability about this derby defeat for Scunthorpe, with the former Iron forward Billy Sharp scoring twice as Doncaster came from behind to win.
The Iron had taken the lead after 11 minutes when Martyn Woolford headed home at the far post from Eddie Nolan's cross.
The former York City winger should have doubled the Iron's advantage two minutes later, but he headed a near identical chance - also from a Nolan cross - wide of a post.
Sharp was being kept quiet, with his best chance a header from a James Coppinger cross which was aimed straight at his former teammate Joe Murphy.
Michael Collins had two shots from distance, but the visitors suddenly found themselves back in the game after 31 minutes.
John Oster's pass over the Iron defence was not dealt with by Rob Jones, allowing Sharp the time and space to fire past Murphy from inside the area.
That goal came against the run of play, but was a real turning point in the match, and the Iron were thankful that Coppinger blasted a shot high over the crossbar from close range just before the break.
Scunthorpe were not ready to give up on three points, and Chris Dagnall struck the crossbar after 52 minutes. His volleyed effort came back off the ground and clipped the woodwork.
Rovers took the lead after 59 minutes when Sharp was felled by Jones in the area, with the striker converting the ensuing penalty-kick.
The Iron looked deflated, and the visitors completed the scoring via a header from James O'Connor after 81 minutes.