BLACKBURN Rovers reserves finished their league campaign with a disappointing 2-1 'derby' defeat to local rivals Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park last night.
Many of Alan Murray's side had returned from loan spells and most of the youngsters he regularly fields are set for a crucial play-off final tomorrow.
All of which contributed to a discordant rhythm, especially in the first half.
Bolton took the lead on 25 minutes through Gareth Farrelly and Ricky Shakes doubled the tally ten minutes later.
A late rally from Rovers following a Marc Richards penalty threatened to snatch a point but an equaliser wasn't forthcoming.
Rovers began the game brightly, the industrious Alan Mahon forcing Bolton keeper Jeremy Bon into a spectacular one-handed save after just five minutes.
However, the game descended into a midfield battle with little creativity on show.
The first real quality came midway through the half, resulting in the visitors seizing the initiative.
Farrelly split the Rovers defence, finding ex-Blackburn striker Jonathan Walters before advancing to meet the return pass with a precision shot into Ryan Robinson's far corner.
The opener prompted a long spell of Bolton pressure with Rovers seemingly unable to clear. Robinson was lucky when he hit Shakes with an attempted throw out but the striker fell over.
The visitors doubling their lead seemed inevitable and a second goal duly arrived in the 35th minute.
Jeff Smith charged into the box after a one-two with Cleveland Taylor. He was robbed by a sliding Jon Fitzgerald but the ball fell kindly for Shakes to drive into the net.
Walters seemed determined to score on his Ewood return, flashing a shot just past the upright and then Farrelly hit Robinson's far post in the 40th minute after Michael Cole had given it away.
After the break, though, Rovers finally found their feet in the game and Jonathan Douglas really should have reduced the arrears on 63 minutes, somehow hitting the bar from four yards after Bon made a dreadful error.
On 75 minutes Rovers were handed a lifeline when Richards was barged over in the box by Bolton substitute Reece Jones. The England Under-20 man duly tucked away the penalty.
Mahon began to show some of his quality down the left and his prompting almost created goals for Darren Hockenhull and Richards before the end.
A disappointing climax to the season for Rovers reserves who will finish in 13th place, Bolton's victory ensuring the sides swap places.
Rovers: Robinson, Cole, Pelzer (Morgan 65), Danns, Taylor (Michael), Fitzgerald, Hockenhull, Dunning, Richards, Douglas, Mahon. Subs not used: Renton, Watt, Donnelly, Black.
Bolton: Bon, Errington, Talbot, Livesey, Platt, Farrelly (Jones 42), Niven (Hamlin 70), Smith, Shakes, Walters, Taylor. Subs not used: Forschelet, Price, Armstrong.
BLACKBURN ROVERS RES...1 BOLTON RES...2
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