Preston gave Rovers the runaround at the start setting a tremendous pace that the home side just could not match.
Barry Nicholson headed just wide in the 23rd minute before former Doncaster loan striker Chris Brown fired Preston in front four minutes later.
Brown latched onto a splendid pass from Ross Wallace and held off Rovers loan defender Jason Shackell to fire a well placed shot past the advancing Neil Sullivan and into the bottom corner.
Doncaster found it hard to find space as Preston closed them down quickly but still had their moments in attack in the first half.
John Spicer fired just over the top from 20 yards and Brian Stock had a goal-bound power drive blocked following a good build-up involving James Coppinger, Paul Heffernan and Spicer.
But the home side's only on target attempt in the first period was a 40-yarder from Stock which Andy Lonergan was at full stretch to save.
James Hayter had a shot on the turn blocked in the 32nd minute but Paul Parry headed just wide six minutes later as Preston continued to dominate the half.
But it was a completely different story after the interval as Rovers raised their game with former Preston play-maker Stock in outstanding form in midfield.
It was the visitors turn to defend as Rovers went on the attack but the home side missed a great chance to equalise in the 52nd minute when Hayter could only hit the post with the goal at his mercy after Lonergan had parried a fierce shot from James Chambers.
Rovers got the equaliser they deserved in the 80th minute with defender Adam Lockwood getting the final touch after John Oster and Shackell both had efforts blocked on the line in a terrific goalmouth scramble.
Rovers might have gone on to pinch victory but Lonergan made a full stretch fingertip save to keep out a cracking effort from substitute Dean Shiels in the closing stages.