 After making twenty-one league starts and a further three as a substitute and netting three times he was poached by local rivals Doncaster Rovers in February 1981 to help with their 1980-81 promotion push.He made his debut in a home win against Hereford United with Doncaster Rovers winning three goals to one.In his first season with Doncaster Rovers they won promotion from Division Four, with Dawson finding the back of the net six times before the end of the season.