SHAKERS' strikers have finally found their shooting boots as the new season approaches.

After drawing blanks against Manchester City and Wigan Athletic Graham Barrow's side put in an impressive display before going down 4-3 against a strong Blackburn Rovers team at the Premiership outfit's impressive Brockhall training set-up.

On target for the Gigg Lane men were Graeme Jones, Chris Porter and Dwayne Mattis while Matt Jansen, Paul Gallagher, Vratty Gresko and Jay McEveley replied for Rovers

Then on Thursday, they followed up with a 4-1 defeat of Conference side Halifax Town at Gigg Lane and this time Dave Nugent (2), Jon Newby and, once again, Porter were among the goals.

Given the strength of the team Rovers' boss Graeme Souness put out, the Blackburn display was a real morale-booster for Barrow who reckoned his charges did enough to get a draw from the match.

"We've been there before and they've played an under-21 team but they must have had six or seven lads who were regular Premiership players," he said.

"The likes of Tugay, Jansen and Paul Dickov were all involved so it was a really good workout.

"It was disappointing to concede four goals but once again we were missing Glyn Garner, Dave Challinor and Tom Kennedy.

"But we were never out of the game. After going 1-0 up they went 3-1 ahead, we pulled it back to 3-2, conceded again the pulled it back to 4-3.

"We created a few more chances after that which was very encouraging."