FA Youth Cup 2nd rnd replay: Manchester United 2 Blackburn Rovers 3 - Peter White reports

OWN goals are becoming quite a speciality of the house at Old Trafford but, this time, the boot was on the other foot as Blackburn Rovers deservedly went through to the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

Over two games, plus an energy-sapping 30 minutes of extra time, Rovers proved they were the better of these two teams - even if they did have to rely on a spectacular own goal from Manchester United defender Michael Ryan 16 minutes into the extra period.

After the recent clash between the two senior sides on the same stage, it was ironic the tie should eventually be settled in that fashion.

On this occasion, however, the anguished looks belonged to United faces as the young Rovers celebrated a notable victory.

But, really, Rovers should not have had to rely on such unorthodox means and it is to be hoped they have learned some harsh lessons from the two matches.

Talk about doing things the hard way.

They were by far the better team in the first game at Ewood, which United rescued with a late equaliser and, last night, they led 2-0 only to be hauled back once again.

Strangely, considering the scoreline, it wasn't a ding-dong battle. The best period of the game from an entertainment point of view was probably the last 15 minutes of normal time with the score 2-2 and both teams looking for a winner. But Rovers will not care how the game was won, just that it was and a victory over United at any level is welcome after the events of the past few years. Beaten twice by their opponents in county youth finals in the past two seasons and stunned by last week's late equaliser, Rovers still didn't show any inferiority complex and raced into a two-goal lead.

Gary Hamilton pounced on a miskick by a defender to volley them in front after just seven minutes and when United keeper Paul Rachubka blundered with his kicked clearance on 17 minutes, Garth Scates produced a brilliant finish.

The ball found him more than 25 yards out and with no time to spare. But the midfielder drilled a first-time shot back past defenders and keeper and in by a post.

Gareth Stewart made good first-half saves from Alex Notman and David Healy but Rovers, with the assured Keith Brown marshalling a strong back four, looked comfortable.

They began the second half confidently too, Craig Woodfield making a brilliant run only to shoot wide and Scates also going close. But the game changed on 64 minutes when Healy hit a great free kick into the top corner from 25 yards.

United suddenly found another gear and took control. It was really no surprise when a lovely move cut Rovers open and full back Lee Roche applied the finishing touch.

David Dunn was twice near to a Rovers third but extra time was needed and Stewart made another fine save shortly after the restart. With penalties looking a possibility, hard-working skipper Leam Richardson drove a ball through the heart of the United defence and, with Rovers players challenging on the edge of the penalty area, the crucial touch came from home defender Ryan.

The ball flew high and dipped over the United keeper to drop into the empty net.

This time, there was no way back.

ROVERS: Stewart, Richardson, Taylor, Brown, Murphy, McAvoy, Dunn, Scates, Forsyth, Hamilton, Woodfield. Subs: Ryan (for Forsyth 70 mins), Connolly (for Woodfield 75 mins), Topley.

Rovers will visit West Ham in the third round. West Ham were 2-0 winners over Millwall.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.