Rovers 4 Man City 3 (aet): A BUNCH of boys, not too long out of school uniform, played like men possessed at Ewood last night to bring much-needed pride back to the blue and white shirt.

In the last, arguably best, act of a season of heartache for Blackburn Rovers they became the first winners of the prestigious Academy under-17s trophy after a magnificent final.

Semi-finalists in the FA Youth Cup, then runners-up, it was third time lucky for Rovers' blossoming youth policy as they claimed a famous victory, having come back from the dead before playing out much of extra time reduced to 10 men because of injury and with others already carrying knocks.

Their spirit was unquenchable. But there was also tremendous quality shown by both sides, which augurs well for the future.

Manchester City will feel hard done by after striking woodwork three times and claiming, with some justification, that they could have had three penalties apart from the one they got.

But Rovers, those crucial decisions apart, were consistently harshly treated throughout 120 absorbing minutes by Premiership referee Rob Harris and his linesmen.

Hopefully Harris was being assessed, but not even his performance could spoil a remarkable game.

Big Ben - Burgess that is - struck twice and substitute Marc Richards also grabbed a phenomenal double in, dare I say it, Alan Shearer style to give Rovers victory against the odds.

Every Rover deserved the highest praise but some stood out, not least strikers Burgess and Richards. Stuart Howson was a commanding skipper at the back, Jonathan Douglas provided some crucial touches and Steve Flitcroft kept probing in midfield when all seemed lost.

Lee Hardy showed moments of genuine class on the left and should be encouraged to keep attacking full backs in the manner of the first half when Rovers could have been more than one goal ahead.

It came from Burgess on eight minutes when he sped between the central defenders from Howson's superb pass, rounded the keeper and scored.

Hardy and Burgess both went close again but it was City who bossed the second half and, after Douglas had missed a great chance, they really started to threaten.

The equaliser came on 77 minutes when Hardy conceded a penalty and Shaun Phillips levelled. With five minutes left, the ball ran loose for Chris Killen to strike what seemed a clinical City winner but Rovers wouldn't give up.

A bout of head tennis in the box was finished by Richards' spectacular overhead kick in stoppage time, City claiming a foul against their keeper.

Two minutes into extra time, Burgess burst through the middle again and showed outstanding control and composure to round the keeper - 3-2. Then he struck a post before limping off, all three subs having been used.

Richards settled it three minutes into the second half of extra time with a magnificent goal. Starting from the centre circle he ran through ragged defenders into the penalty area and blasted an unstoppable shot high into the net.

Phillips then produced a superb finish to make it 4-3 in injury time but Rovers held out. Thanks for the memories lads.

ROVERS: Hind, McCann, S Taylor (sub Nutter 84 mins), Howson, Murray, Chamberlain (sub Lawless 77 mins), Douglas, S Flitcroft, Hardy, Foster (sub M Richards 65 mins), Burgess. Subs not used: Byrne, Doyle.

Attendance: 1,500.

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