BLACKBURN Reserves slumped to a resounding defeat against a Leeds side that featured former Rovers stars David Batty and Jason Wilcox last night.

United were also boosted by the likes of Nigel Martyn, Olivier Dacourt and Michael Bridges as they produced a fine all round display to run out comfortable winners.

Bridges and Dacourt both got on the score sheet, along with talented youngster Harpal Singh, while only the brilliance of Rovers keeper Alan Kelly prevented Leeds winning by a bigger margin.

Rovers also had Craig Hignett and substitute David McNamee booked on a night to forget at Wakefield Trinity's Belle Vue home.

The visitors started reasonably well with Alan Mahon busy in midfield while Ciccio Grabbi tried in vain to work an opening.

The former Juventus man did create an early chance for Marc Richards only for his fellow hit man to blaze well over.

Gradually, however, Leeds started to take control and they went ahead in the 20 minute after Andy Todd had wrestled Dacourt to the ground in the area.

The referee pointed to the spot and Bridges sent Kelly the wrong way for the opening goal.

A dreadful backpass in the 40th minute nearly let Leeds substitute Paul Keegan in but Kelly was alert to the danger as he cleared.

Hignett blazed the ball well wide moments later before Martyn had to be alert in the Leeds goal to flick over an intended cross from McNamee that almost flew into the net.

Singh's wonderful turn and rasping shot doubled Leeds' advantage seven minutes after the break with Kelly well beaten.

The Rovers keeper did produce a wonderful save to deny Bridges three minutes later before Dacourt and Hignett were booked for scuffling.

Grabbi's 25-yard drve brought a superb save from Martyn midway through the half but the game was effectively over moments later when Dacourt grabbed his side's third.

Bridges did well down the left and centred the ball to Singh who, in turn, flicked the ball to the French midfielder and he drilled a low shot across Kelly and into the net.

McNamee was booked with just minutes remaining following a late challenge on Bridges before Leeds came close to grabbing a fourth in stoppage time when Caleb Folan's shot was beaten away by Kelly.

Leeds: Martyn, Richardson (Keegan 18), Wilcox, Burns, Duberry, Kilgallon, Batty (Pardong 77), Dacourt, Bridges, Johnson, Singh (Folan 35). Subs (not used) Milosevic, Newey, McStay.

Blackburn: Kelly, Curtis, Pelzer, Todd (McNamee 40), Taylor, Mahon, Hignett (Watt 70), Douglas, Grabbi, Richards (Corbett 70), Danns. Subs not used: Robinson, Hockenhill, Morgan.

LEEDS UTD 3 ROVERS RES 0