A STRONG Rovers reserve side made hard work of beating Everton at Deepdale last night and found themselves hanging on towards the end, indebted to Nicky Marker for holding the defence together.

Everton, fielding a young side, took a surprise lead with a shot into the bottom corner from Richard Townsend after just 14 minutes. But Rovers hit back for James Beattie (22 mins) to equalise after defensive hesitancy let him through.

He took the chance well, lobbing the keeper who had strayed off his line.

Five minutes later, they were in front. A right-wing corner was cleared only as far as Matty Holmes on the edge of the penalty area and he drilled a low shot through a crowd of players and into the corner.

With Billy McKinlay outstanding and Holmes also impressive, Rovers dominated. But it was a different story after the break when McKinlay was substituted.

Everton took a grip on the game and Rovers had to soak up a lot of pressure with Marker doing an excellent job to help deny them many real chances.

Young winger Damien Duff again showed up well and Rovers could easily have snatched another goal on the break, but Paul Warhurst, back from a rib injury, was disappointing.

Recent signing Gary Croft showed his versatility by playing the first half at left back, then switched to the right flank after the break.

He looked a naturally two-footed player, good on the ball, with a liking for getting forward.

ROVERS: Mimms, Gill, Marker, Reed (sub Coughlan), Croft, Morgan, Holmes, McKinlay (sub Whealing), Duff, Beattie, Warhurst.

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