COVENTRY CITY YOUTH 1

BLACKBURN ROVERS YOUTH 2 AN injury-time winner from Jonathan Walters at Highfield Road last night earned Rovers' young guns an FA Youth Cup semi-final crack at Liverpool or Wimbledon.

Coventry have reached the final of the competition in each of the last two seasons but Blackburn denied them a hat-trick when Walters headed home a John Fitzgerald free-kick in the dying seconds of an epic contest.

"We're absolutely delighted to get into the last four of such a prestigious competition," beamed Rovers' Academy director Bobby Downes.

"Coventry fancied themselves to win the whole thing after being in the final for the last two years.

"But we managed to restrict them to virtually one shot all night."

They left it late but victory was no more than Blackburn deserved after recovering from a 20th-minute Coventry goal to level through Liam Blakeman mid-way through the second half.

The Sky Blues started brightly and took the lead in spectacular style when Northern Ireland youth international Mark Magennis thumped home a first-time volley.

Rovers then had to weather a spell of pressure but keeper Ryan Robinson was well protected by his defence before the visitors started to turn the tide.

Impressive full-back Michael Cole twice got forward well only to be denied on each occasion by fine saves from Gary Montgomerie after good work by Neil Danns.

Walters also found the City keeper in good form with a shot just before the break and Blackburn maintained their grip after half-time when Danny Stone spurned a decent headed chance following a corner.

However, the visitors finally got their reward and made it 1-1 after 64 minutes when Blakeman raced onto a flick-on to hold off a defender and rifle a shot past Montgomerie.

The tie then looked set for a replay at Ewood Park but Walters spared Rovers the need for a second bite of the cherry when he rose unmarked deep into stoppage time to head Blackburn into the last four with his 29th goal of the season.

Rob Kelly's youngsters will now face a two-legged semi-final against either Liverpool or Wimbledon, who are due to meet tonight.