BLACKBURN Rovers are bang on course to make the last eight of the Academy Under 17 play-offs following a stunning win against Liverpool.

Ian Miller's side romped to a 4-0 win at Brockhall on Saturday and they now need a point against Southampton in a fortnight's time to guarantee themselves a place in the next stage.

"The lads were outstanding, they really were," said Miller.

"Liverpool are always good opposition but we played very, very well as a team.

"We were 3-0 up at half-time then Liverpool made it more difficult for us in the second half but we were always in control and we grabbed another goal before the end."

Rovers took a firm grip on proceedings courtesy of an own goal and further strikes from Keith Barker, Joel Byrom and Peter Corvino.

To compound Liverpool's misery, they were then reduced to 10 men when Robbie Foy saw red after retaliating to a bad tackle.

Meanwhile, Rob Kelly's Under 19s lost 2-0 at Barnsley on Saturday but the result was largely academic as they have already qualified for the play-offs semi-finals after topping their section.

"It was a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show in a way," said Kelly.

"We didn't compete with them in the first half and found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time.

"We then improved after the break but by then the damage had been done."

The Under 19s have one league fixture left at Birmingham before their play-off semi-final against either Manchester United, Manchester City or Nottingham Forest on April 26.