Lancashire FA Youth Cup final: Blackburn Rovers Youth 0 Tranmere Rovers Youth 3

ROVERS' youngsters got the sympathy vote at Ewood last night but little else as their hopes of adding a cup to their league championship success simply ran out of steam.

For the third successive season, it was runners-up medals in the final of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup and they could have no complaints on the night as they looked to be on their last legs.

The flair and finishing power which has thrilled the fans who have followed their progress in the knockout competitions was sadly absent.

A demanding schedule had clearly taken its toll as Rovers looked drained, physically and mentally, against a well-organised Tranmere side who might have been a little surprised at the relative ease with which they claimed the trophy.

David Dunn tried frantically to inject some sparkle into a flat display but there were few other redeeming features except to say that it was in stark contrast to most of the previous performances they have produced during a magnificent campaign at all levels.

In the end, this was just one game too far for a group of players who had put everything into winning the Lancashire League Second Division title and finishing runners-up in the FA Youth Cup. They just looked as though they didn't have anything left to give and were way below par in a first half not helped by a poor referee and a linesman, who clearly has yet to come to terms with the offside rule.

But the officials had nothing to do with Rovers' defeat as they were always struggling to break down their opponents.

Dunn threatened to produce something in the opening stages but Tranmere gave a warning as early as the second minute.

Gareth Stewart was then forced into a good save from Chris Edge shortly before the visitors took a 37th minute lead.

It was the first of three bad goals to give away, Kevin Davies eluding his markers to head home a right-wing cross.

A gallant run by Ciaran Ryan early in the second half finally sparked Rovers into action and there was a distinct improvement. They freshened things up with a couple of substitutions and a lightning break by Dunn and Gary Hamilton saw the keeper save comfortably from Andy McAvoy's touch.

The crucial moment, however, arrived in the 66th minute when Steve Hawe rose at the far post and seemed a certain scorer. But his firm, downward header rebounded from the woodwork and Rovers never went as close again.

Two late goals for Tranmere set the seal on it with Rovers pushing men forward to try to retrieve the situation.

On 78 minutes, with defence and keeper all over the place, Davies scored an easy header from close range.

Four minutes later, Neil Gibson lobbed the ball over Stewart with Rovers already beaten.

There was still time for a blistering drive by Ryan to fly just over but it would only have been a consolation goal. What matters most now is how much the youngsters gain from their experiences.

They have had a real adventure in the two cup competitions, to complement winning their league.

Sometimes, you learn more from defeat than victory. There haven't been too many losses but, unfortunately, two of them came in finals.

ROVERS (4-4-2): Stewart; R Dunning, Taylor, Murphy, Richardson; McAvoy, Dunn, Scates, Ryan; Hamilton, Topley. Subs: Baldacchino (for Dunning 57 mins), Hawe (for Topley 57 mins), Richards, Connolly, Bingham.

TRANMERE (5-3-2): Powell; Crowe, Sharps, Holmes, Hinds, Graves; Gibson, Koumas, Edge; Davies, Taylor. Subs: Rogers, Murphy, Joy, Small, Gibbons.

REF: T Jones (Barrow).

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