Blackburn Rovers Reserves 3 Sunderland Reserves 1

AN all-action midfield performance by Damien Johnson typified a very convincing Rovers win at Ewood last night.

Johnson, revelling in a central role, seemed to get stronger as the game went on and crowned a dominant display with a brilliant run to set up Keith Gillespie for Rovers' third goal.

There were a number of individuals who stood out, but, essentially, it was a triumph for teamwork -- and hard work -- as Sunderland were made to look second rate for long periods.

The only time the visitors threatened to make anything of the game was in the final minutes of the first half when Mark Convery had two great chances but wasted them both as he couldn't even hit the target.

Rovers never looked back and were really well-deserved winners after the lively Gary Hamilton gave them a 21st-minute lead on the end of a lightning break from a Sunderland corner!

Gillespie made all the running and Hamilton took advantage of awful defending by Sunderland to slip into acres of room. When he eventually collected Gillespie's pass, it looked as though the chance might have gone but a strong, low finish went straight through the keeper. Ten minutes later, Matt Jansen scored with a glorious volley after Marc Richards -- a useful strike partner for Hamilton -- and Gillespie had created the chance. It was a special finish.

Convery missed his way before Gillespie showed him how on 60 minutes, after Johnson's magical run on the left. He pulled the ball back and Gillespie's crisp right-foot drive went in off the bar.

Young Steven Hawe did well against a strike force of Daniele Dichio and John Oster, though Oster grabbed an 86th minute consolation for Sunderland with a good, low finish from Dichio's right-wing cross.

ROVERS: Miller, Grayson, Hawe, Peacock, Murphy, Gillespie, Johnson, Carsley (sub McKinlay HT), Jansen, Hamilton, Richards. Subs not used: Baldacchino, D Dunning, Howson, Bingham.

SUNDERLAND: Marriott, Maley, Butler, Helmer, McCartney, Summerbee (sub Duke 65 mins), Thirlwell, Convery (sub Dickman 75 mins), Fredgaard (sub Reddy 58 mins), Dichio, Oster. Subs not used: Kyle, Ingham.