BOLTON RES 1

ROVERS RES 0

BLACKBURN Rovers reserves failed to break down Bolton's nine men last night as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat.

Wanderers had two men sent off at Leyland but still managed to bag the only goal of the game when Blessing Kaku put away an 80th minute penalty.

Julio Cesar was the first Wanderers player to receive his marching orders after just eight minutes after taking out Matt Derbyshire when he was clean through on goal.

But Blakcburn couldn't take advantage of the extra man thanks to Bolton keeper Sam Ashton, who made two superb saves to deny Keith Barker.

Ashton was beaten on the stroke of half-time when Joel Byrom headed on Gary Harkins' corner but his effort came back off the bar.

Steven Drench was the first goalkeeper to be called into action in the second half when he tipped away a drive by James Sinclair.

Then the same player fired wide, as did Bedi Buval when he was one-on-one with Drench.

Wanderers were starting to get on top but they had their momentuim halted by a second red card 14 minutes from time.

Joey O'Brien was the player to be sent off this time after making a rash challenge on Ralph Welch.

However, any injustice they felt was soon eroded 10 minutes from time when Buval was brought down and referee Harwood awarded the decisive penalty.

Kaku stepped up and the Nigerian made no mistake with an emphatic finish past Drench.

Rovers pushed for an equaliser in the final stages of the game but Ashton proved unbeatable.

Rovers: Drench, Kane, Rowntree, Hodge, Barr, Harkins, Welch, Byrom, Derbyshire, Barker, Watt. Subs not sued: De Vita, Fielding, Thomas, Thompson, King.