Worthington Cup 2nd round 2nd leg: Blackburn Rovers 3 Portsmouth 1 (agg 6-1) - Peter White's match verdict

WHEN Alan Kelly's best footballing mate Alan McLoughlin stuck a goal past him as early as the seventh minute at Ewood last night, this looked like an episode of 'Friends' that might just run into overtime.

But normal service was gradually restored and Blackburn Rovers proved a few points as they completed the formality of their anticipated progress into round three of the Worthington Cup.

Considering the club's mixed start to the League programme, perhaps it says something that, over two legs in this second round tie, they have fielded much-changed sides yet beaten a team standing above them in the First Division table by a 6-1 aggregate.

And, on the day that manager Brian Kidd made probably his last signing for some time in adding Bolton's Per Frandsen to the squad, there was a lively performance from young midfielder David Dunn to record.

It was a timely reminder that Rovers now have serious competition in every position, despite the long-term injury problems.

That is going to stand them in very good stead through a long season. In fact, it could be crucial.

The completion of the Frandsen deal shortly before kick-off, to be followed by an aggregate victory of such substantial proportions over their First Division rivals, made it an excellent day all round for the Ewood club.

Cup success is not important in its own right this season but a good run can complement the all-important progress on the League front. And to dismiss promotion rivals Pompey so relatively easily can only boost confidence for the weeks and months ahead.

Portsmouth boss Alan Ball was right to claim that his team have not been battered to the extent that a 6-1 aggregate scoreline suggests. But there was also an evident difference between the quality of the two squads, especially as Rovers deliberately rested several players.

They have looked a class above Pompey over the tie and that must be encouraging as Ball's side have made a good start and are riding high.

Having acquired a squad replacement for Garry Flitcroft in Frandsen, I see no reason why Rovers cannot now go onto far greater things in this division.

With the depth they have, they should soon be making their presence felt around the top of the table and, given a decent draw on Sunday, why not a Worthington Cup run to go with it.

There is nothing like winning to breed confidence, although it took Rovers some time last night to get in the right mood.

Considering they were already 3-0 in front from the first game at Fratton, that's understandable and perhaps McLoughlin's early strike ensured there were no suicidal tendencies shown.

But it has to be said that, if a shot from Mike Panapoulos had gone in instead of striking the woodwork in the 45th minute, it could have been a different story. You could just have imagined panic setting in. For there would then have been thoughts of Kelly's Republic of Ireland team-mate McLoughlin's hat-trick on his last Ewood appearance cropping up.

Happily, nothing untoward happened on a night when only a quarter of the stadium was full but, then again, it was quite an achievement to draw more than 7,500 fans to a game that, realistically, was decided by Fratton's 3-0 scoreline.

Rovers totally dominated the first half yet they trailed 1-0 after McLoughlin cottoned onto a low right-wing cross from Panapoulos and fired past Kelly.

There were definitely one or two wobbles but, in reality, Rovers should have been ahead at the interval - not behind.

Pompey defender Mihalis Vlachos was fortunate not to concede a penalty on at least two ocasions, David Dunn threatened their goal and Egil Ostenstad should have done better. Keeper Andy Petterson also saved from Damien Duff as Rovers did not play particularly well but clearly had enough to pose a major threat to Portsmouth.

Almost on half time came the turning point when the shot from Panapoulos hit the top of a post.

They were never to be as close again to a shock.

Wayne Gill crashed a 50th-minute long-range shot against the bar, Dunn led and frustrated more attacks and Ostenstad wasted another great chance from Nathan Blake's service. But, finally, the goals came.

In the 59th minute, Keith Gillespie broke positively, found Ostenstad on the right and his low cross was bundled over the line at the far post by Duff.

Five minutes later, Vlachos could only deflect Ostenstad's low right-wing cross as far as Dunn in the 'D' and he hit a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner.

Kelly made a great save to keep out Stefani Miglioranzi's deflected shot in the 70th minute before Rovers wrapped it up in style.

In the last minute of normal time, Blake went on the rampage down the left, crossed low and hard and Kevin Gallacher charged in at the near post to slide the ball home for the third.

Never mind the hesitant start, Rovers should take great heart from the fact that they have put one of their major League rivals to the sword in a cup competition.

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