Pontin's League: Blackburn Rovers Reserves 3 Manchester United Reserves 1

JAMES Beattie gave watching Rovers boss Roy Hodgson two more timely reminders of his phenomenal flair for scoring at Ewood last night.

True, they were only a couple of tap-ins but the young striker also demonstrated, against good opposition, just how much his all-round game has improved.

That was underlined by the way in which he set up partner James Thomas for Rovers' other goal in an excellent win which keeps them on the heels of Leeds at the top of the Pontin's League Premier Division table.

"Family Night Football" arrived at Ewood with all the accompanying razzmatazz and a crowd of 6,200 to see a sparkling first half Rovers performance that deserved more goals.

They became a little sloppy after the break, when United threatened to snatch a point, but ultimately the scoreline was fair. And two wins in a week over United - the other at youth level - can't be bad. Pity they lost the important one, in the Premier League.

Rovers took a 23rd minute lead with a brilliant goal. Patrick Valery played the ball down the left and Beattie produced a superb flick inside for Thomas to steer an excellent header out of the keeper's reach.

There could easily have been several more as Rovers produced some flowing football, but just couldn't find the finishing touch, United keeper Kevin Pilkington making a couple of fine saves.

A minute into the second half Rovers stunned the visitors with their second.

The busy Damien Johnson showed great skills on a charge down the right before crossing inch-perfectly to the far post for Thomas to head down past the keeper. Beattie was on hand to finish right on the line.

Norwegian Erik Nevland put United back in the game after 75 minutes with a well-taken goal after Alan Fettis had made two fine saves when required.

But Rovers' third arrived in stoppage time when Beattie steered home a cross by substitute Lee Fitzpatrick from close range.

ROVERS: Fettis, Worrell, Valery (sub Fitzpatrick 90 minutes), Andersson, Coughlan, Broomes, Johnson, Bohinen (sub Staton 81 mins), Beattie, Thomas (sub Brown 90 mins), Gill.

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