Sharp 'very lucky' to score hat-trick on Doncaster finale

Billy Sharp has now scored EFL hat-tricks in his 20s, 30s and 40s [Getty Images]

Veteran striker Billy Sharp admitted he felt blessed after signing off in style for Doncaster Rovers with a hat-trick.

The 40-year-old, who is in his third spell at the club, will move on in the summer but he confessed his farewell gift - all three goals in a 3-1 win at Peterborough in his final game - felt like a fairytale.

Sharp could even have scored a fourth late on but the goal was ruled out for offside.

"I just wanted that feeling one more time but to do it three times - and nearly four - I don't know, I felt very lucky. I didn't think it was real," Sharp told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"When I scored the second, I knew there was a chance. I went to bed dreaming on Friday thinking: 'Get two before half-time and it's on'.

"It's been a great day. I've loved it. And I thank the lads for that because they were phenomenal. It's been an absolute pleasure to play with them and to score a hat-trick on the final day.

"Football just makes memories and I'm lucky."

Doncaster captain Owen Bailey paid tribute to the departing Sharp, who helped Rovers win promotion to League One last season.

"He is someone I've looked up to for a long time before I met him and he's better than what you'd think. He's an unbelievable person and an even better player," said Bailey.

"To get a hat-brick on his last game for us, I think only he could do it.

"He's just a special person and it's been an absolute honour to share a changing room.

"He could be 100 and he'll still score goals. He's just unbelievable. The desire to score goals - I've never seen anything like it in my whole life."

The hat-trick took the former Sheffield United forward to 299 goals in all competitions across a 21-year career which he hopes to extend next season.