BLACKBURN Rovers reserves claimed their first point under new boss Glyn Hodges thanks to a wonder goal from midfielder Gary Harkins.

The Academy starlet cancelled out an early strike from Ricardo Vaz Te with a breathtaking shot from distance on the stroke of half time.

And Hodges might have celebrated a winning start to his Blackburn career had it not been for a succession of missed chances in the second half when Bolton's 10 men were hanging on.

Hodges only took over as Rovers' new reserve team manager on Monday after accepting an invitation to become Tony Parkes' successor.

But the former Barnsley coach made it clear from the outset that he intends to place the emphasis firmly on youth during his time in the hot-seat, a fact borne out by the youthful team he named to start this mini derby.

In fact, Neil Danns was the only player in the Rovers side with any serious experience of the first team, whereas Bolton had a number of senior pros in their ranks, the pick being Ivan Campo. Rovers were clearly eager to impress their new manager from the off and they could have been a goal up inside the opening 22 seconds.

Neil Danns, who was making his first appearance since returning from a loan spell with Colchester, muscled his way past a couple of challenges before slipping a clever ball through for Matt Derbyshire, but the young striker dragged his shot wide of the post.

A minute later, Derbyshire did find the net with a firm header from a left-wing centre only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

For all Rovers' early pressure, however, it was Bolton who broke the deadlock in the 17th minute.

Midfield stroller Ivan Campo floated a deep free kick towards the far post and Jon Fitzgerald's attempted clearance ricocheted off Alex Bruce straight to Vaz Te who scored with an acrobatic volley from six yards out.

Wanderers' joy was to prove short-lived, though, as six minutes later they were reduced to 10-men, Julio Cesar receiving a second yellow for kicking the ball away.

With Bolton forced into a tactical reshuffle, Rovers regained the initiative and it needed a sharp save from veteran keeper Kevin Poole to keep out Derbyshire's point-blank header.

Then deep into first half injury time, Harkins suddenly popped up with the equaliser and a certain contender for goal of the season.

There appeared to be little danger when he received a pass from the lively Jemal Johnson 30 yards out, but the midfielder then struck a brilliant right footer that rocketed into Poole's top right hand corner.

Rovers looked to press home their numerical advantage in the second half by piling the pressure on Wanderers' tiring back four.

The lively Johnson tricked his way past a defender in the area but Poole got a hand to his shot and tipped it over for a corner.

Then the woodwork came to the Bolton keeper's rescue when a Derbyshire header cannoned back off the post.

In a rare foray at the opposite end, Vazte broke clear of the Blackburn defence only to shoot wide of the upright with Yelldell beaten.

But Bolton then survived a late scare when Poole saved from Johnson following a goal-mouth melee.

Rovers: Yelldell, Peers, Morgan, Danns, Fitzgerald, Bruce, Donnelly, Harkins, Johnson, Derbyshire, Byrom. Subs: Barker (for Byrom, 70), Peter (for Morgan, 77), Nolan (for Peers, 83) Not used: Drench, Jones

Bolton: Poole, Livesey, Talbot, Platt, Cesar, Campo, O'Brien, Knowles, Vazte, Shakes, Kribib. Subs: Not used: Whitehead, Powell, Luisi, Hill, McGill Attendance: 334

BLACKBURN Rovers reserves claimed their first point under new boss Glyn Hodges thanks to a wonder goal from midfielder Gary Harkins.

The Academy starlet cancelled out an early strike from Ricardo Vazte with a breathtaking shot from distance on the stroke of half time.

And Hodges might have celebrated a winning start to his Blackburn career had it not been for a succession of missed chances in the second half when Bolton's 10 men were hanging on.

Rovers were clearly eager to impress their new manager from the off and they could have been a goal up inside the opening 22 seconds.

Neil Danns, who was making his first appearance since returning from a loan spell with Colchester, muscled his way past a couple of challenges before slipping a clever ball through for Matt Derbyshire, but the young striker dragged his shot wide of the post.

A minute later, Derbyshire did find the net with a firm header from a left-wing centre only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

For all Rovers' early pressure, however, it was Bolton who broke the deadlock in the 17th minute.

Midfield stroller Ivan Campo floated a deep free kick towards the far post and Jon Fitzgerald's attempted clearance ricocheted off Alex Bruce straight to Vazte who scored with an acrobatic volley from six yards out.

Wanderers' joy was to prove short-lived, though, as six minutes later they were reduced to 10-men, Julio Cesar receiving a second yellow for kicking the ball away.

Deep into first half injury time, Harkins suddenly popped up with the equaliser and a certain contender for goal of the season.

There appeared to be little danger when he received a pass from the lively Jemal Johnson 30 yards out, but the midfielder then struck a brilliant right footer that rocketed into Poole's top right hand corner.