ASTON VILLA RES 2, ROVERS RES 2 TWO goals from James Beattie and another good performance by Blackburn Rovers Reserves at Villa Park last night helped them maintain their place among the Pontin's League Premier Division leaders.

Rovers were the better side and could easily have won, but coach Terry Darracott was more than happy with the performance.

Beattie put Rovers into an early lead, knocking the ball in at the back post but, while Adam Reed was off the field having treatment for a facial injury, Villa took advantage of the 10 men for Scott Murray to equalise.

In the second half, three corners in quick succession enabled Ugo Ehiogu to put Villa 2-1 ahead, against the overall run of play, but Rovers bounced back.

Beattie pounced on an error by Ehiogu, found Damien Johnson and got into the box to finish the move with a terrific back-post header.

The young Rovers striker was only denied a hat-trick by a brilliant save.

ROVERS: Fettis, Worrell, Reed, Broomes, Valery, Johnson, Gill, Andersson, Wilcox, Beattie, Thomas. Subs: Coughlan (for Broomes 30 mins), Fitzpatrick, Staton.

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