ONE battle was won by Manchester United at Ewood last night, but Blackburn Rovers fans in a near-6,000 crowd can take comfort from the fact that the war could well be about to change course.

United collected the Lancashire FA Youth Cup at the end of a tremendous game.

But these eager young Rovers provided plenty of evidence that the Monopolies Commission may not be needed after all to examine Old Trafford's apparent domination of youthful talent in the North West.

Rovers lost - but they were the better team.

They threw away a two-goal lead that might have been four, but warmed the heart with several terrific individual performances.

And, while there was obvious disappointment at the result, the positive factor that Ewood is now capable of competing at youth as well as senior level with the best in the land shone through.

The quality of play, especially from the young Rovers, was impressive.

Yes, of course, there were mistakes but there was also tremendous potential on view.

In the first 20 minutes, Rovers threatened to run riot.

Little Luke Staton, who had more of the ball than anyone, began a brilliant move after only four minutes that ended with the classy Damien Duff crossing for James Beattie to head down and Craig Chisholm to run into the net.

In the 16th minute, Staton's free kick saw Marlon Broomes and Richard Hope climb for the header and the ball fall nicely for James Thomas to nod home.

United could have been buried but, with Rovers not as alert as they should have been, Ryan Ford produced a snap shot through a crowded penalty area after 28 minutes.

That gave the shell-shocked visitors confidence and they had their best spell, equalising four minutes before half time.

Again it was another bad goal to give away with Robert Trees allowed to retrieve a ball on the right and cross for Jonathan Macken to head home.

It was a real shock when Grant Brebner hit United's third from just outside the penalty area after 48 minutes but, from then, the game belonged to Rovers.

They piled on the pressure but, somehow, couldn't force a deserved equaliser and late bookings for Ronnie Wallwork (timewasting) and Jamie Wood (foul) underlined just how desperate United were by the end.

The result was wrong but all the other signs were definitely right for Rovers last night.

ROVERS: Williams, Worrell, Broomes, Hope, McCallion, Johnson, Chisholm, Staton, Duff, Beattie, Thomas. Subs: Cassin, Brown, Brewer, McAvoy, Benson.

MAN UTD: Culkin, Trees, Duncan, Wallwork, Smith, Twiss, Ford, Brebner, Mulryne, Macken, Wilson. Subs: Brown (for Ford 77 mins), Notman (for Macken 85 mins), Wood (for Wilson 77 mins), Naylor, Maxon.

REFEREE: T Lunt (Ashton).

ATTENDANCE: 5,963.

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