BLACKBURN Rovers Under 17s have qualified for the knockout stages of the FA Academy League play-offs after finishing top of their group.
Rob Kelly's young guns needed a point against Derby on Saturday and they got a 1-1 draw.
Rovers will now play Leeds at home on Saturday with the winners going through to the quarter finals.
"Normally speaking all the group winners go straight through to the last eight but the way the competition has been organised we've now got to play Leeds to qualify for that," said Academy boss Bobby Downes.
Against the Rams on Saturday Paul Gallagher, who gave a commanding performance in midfield, sent jet-heeled wideman Jerome Watt scampering away down the right and the England starlet cut a great ball back from the by-line for Jemal Johnson to hammer home a brilliant opener.
However, a rare error from the otherwise outstanding Jay McEveley then gifted the Rams an unexpected lifeline which made for a nervy finale.
McEveley's attempted back-heel fell short allowing Rams' midfielder Nathan Doyle to nip in and score.
Meanwhile, Ian Miller's Under 19s drew 1-1 with Newcastle -- coached by Peter Beardsley -- after Alan Morgan was on target.
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