Blackburn Rovers Reserves 2 Manchester United Reserves 1

WAYNE Gill's double strike gave Rovers victory over Manchester United on a very satisfying night at Ewood.

It was an entertaining game, with a couple of fitness bonuses for Rovers who had to defend exceptionally well to keep United to one goal.

Craig Short was outstanding in the second half, making several crucial interceptions, and goalkeeper Alan Fettis must also have impressed the horde of scouts and managers looking on from the stands.

Billy McKinlay also had an important role to play as Rovers gave a good account of themselves against a United side including Jordi Cruyff, Phil Neville, Jonathan Greening and Ronnie Wallwork.

It looked ominous, however, when Danny Higginbotham fired United in front as early as the seventh minute, with a superb low strike after Rovers failed to clear their lines.

Within a minute, Gill had equalised with a clinical finish following a good break down the right by Ryan Baldacchino.

Both sides had chances, James Thomas seeing a header well saved, and United often threatened through David Healy and Mark wilson.

The decisive goal came two minutes after the break when Henning Berg tripped Thomas and Gill put away the penalty in fine style.

There could easily have been more goals, Healy striking a post, and several players were booked by a referee who totally over-reacted to a good game.

ROVERS: Fettis, Richardson, Hawe, Short, Murphy, Baldacchino, McKinlay, Gill, Forsyth, Ostenstad, Thomas. Subs: Burgess (for Thomas 67 mins), O'Brien, Howson, Douglas, Bingham.

UNITED: Culkin, Roche, Berg, Wallwork, Higginbotham, Stewart, Wilson, P Neville, Cruyff, Greening, Healy. Subs: Davis (for Healy 77 mins), Rachubka, Djordjic, Howard, Cosgrove.

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