Garner's a true head master

BLACKBURN Rovers set up a mouthwatering meeting with Manchester United in the last eight of the FA Youth Cup thanks to a late goal from Joe Garner last night.

A determined Gillingham side had taken a shock lead in this fifth round tie when Akwasi Edusei scored deep into first half injury time.

But Rob Kelly's young guns mounted a spirited second half fight-back and after Andy Taylor had equalised, they then secured a place in the quarter finals courtesy of Garner's brave header in the 81st minute.

"I was pleased with the character my players showed," said Kelly.

"It was a different kind of game to the one against West Brom in the last round and it needed a different kind of performance, but the lads dug deep and got the result we wanted in the end."

It certainly wasn't a night for the feint hearted as the Gills asked some searching questions in a physical battle.

Rovers lost two players through injury in a bruising first half and referee Neil Swarbrick, a late replacement for the original match official who got stuck in traffic on the M62, struggled to keep control of proceedings at times.

Gillingham set their stall out inside the opening two minutes when a crunching late challenge from Jonathan Wallis left Tareck Sakali writhing in agony on the floor.

After lengthy treatment, the Frenchman departed on a stretcher, prompting the arrival of Gary Stopforth from the bench.

Then midway through the half, Matt Derbyshire also had to be replaced by Garner after the young striker appeared to twist his ankle while embarking on a run into the box.

Those changes prevented Rovers from gaining any real momentum and they failed to produce their normal free-flowing football against a Gills side who contested every challenge with real vigour.

Taylor forced a scrambling save out of visiting keeper Danny Knowles, a Keith Barker lob was hacked off the line, Sergio Peter struck the bar with a fierce drive after playing a one-two with Joel Byrom, and Barker had legitimate claims for a penalty turned down.

However, Gillingham always looked menacing on the break.

Nevertheless, it was still a surprise when the Gills took the lead in first half stoppage time.

Matthew Jarvis out-foxed a couple of defenders with a driving run on the edge of the box and when he eventually drilled a low cross into the danger area from the right, there was Edusei to flick the ball home.

Rovers needed to raise their game several notches in the second half and they duly did.

Garner went close from an inviting position before Taylor finally restored parity with a free-kick from 25 yards which completely deceived Knowles in the 72nd minute.

That set-up a grandstand finish and it was Rovers who nicked it with nine minutes left.

Taylor's corner was met emphatically at the near post by Garner, who stole in front of his marker to power a brave header past Knowles from close range.

It was the 15-year-old's 30th goal of a prolific campaign and perhaps his most important yet.