JEMAL Johnson's third minute strike earned Blackburn Rovers reserves a deserved 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Chester City's Deva Stadium last night.

Matt Jansen returned from the head injury which caused him to miss last week's second string fixture to lead Rovers' front-line against the title-chasing youngsters from Merseyside.

Peter Enckelman continued in goal with Nils Eric Johansson and Norwegian international Martin Andresen adding some experience to the ranks.

Vratislav Gresko was all set to make his reserve team debut at left-back but was a late withdrawal, with Ian Black taking the field in his place.

For Liverpool, El Hadji Diouf took centre stage alongside Florent Sinama-Pongolle and former Rovers target Djimi Traore.

The game started at a frenetic pace, and after Diouf hit an early chance straight at former Aston Villa stopper Enckelman, Rovers continued the attacking initiative.

And they took the lead through Johnson, who capitalised on Andy Wright's under-hit back-pass to run through and slide the ball past Patrice Luzi.

Liverpool somehow contrived to waste a golden opportunity to level, when Sinama-Pongolle and Diouf both missed from close range during a goalmouth scramble.

But the home side recovered to net a magnificent equaliser on 15 minutes through Mark Smyth. Adam Flynn and Sinama-Pongolle exchanged a delectable one-two and the Frenchman's cross was tapped home by Smyth.

Rovers almost regained their lead as the excellent Jerome Watt's over-hit cross eluded Luzi only to bounce off the top of the crossbar. The French keeper also prevented Johnson netting a second with a belated dive to divert a 20-yard drive.

Sinama-Pongolle left the field in agony after suffering a badly bruised ankle at the hands of Rovers' defender Michael Taylor just minutes into the second period, nullifying much of the threat the home side had posed.

Diouf had the ball in the net on 50 minutes, but his effort was correctly ruled out for offside.

Jansen then headed straight at Luzi from six yards as the game showed signs of opening up once again.

The goals failed to materialise and a draw seemed the fairer outcome, but Rovers will be encouraged by the performances of youngsters Johnson and Watt.

Jansen looked sharp at times, but was marshalled superbly by Liverpool defensive duo David Raven and Carl Medjani.

LIVERPOOL RES 1 BLACKBURN RES 1

LIVERPOOL: Luzi, Vaughan, Raven, Medjani, Traore, Wright, Foy (Wilkie 83), Flynn, Diouf, Sinama-Pongolle (Gillespie 48), Smyth. Subs not used: Willis, Guthrie, Massie.

ROVERS: Enckelman, Donnelly, Black (Cummings 60), Andresen, Taylor, Johansson, Watt, Johnson, Jansen, Nelson, Harkins. Subs not used: Yelldell, Stopforth, Barr.