Blackburn Rovers Reserves 1 Manchester City Reserves 2: Rafaelle De Vita's first goal for Rovers reserves wasn't enough to prevent City coming away with a victory from Morecambe last night.

De Vita put Blackburn ahead in the 14th minute when he latched on to Ralph Welch's through ball and fired low under Nicky Weaver.

City, however, fielded a side brimming with first team Premiership experience and hit back at the young home team.

Bradley Wright-Phillips fired the first warning when he rounded keeper Frank Fielding, but Eddie Nolan cleared off the line.

De Vita was then denied by Weaver and the 18-year-old also struck the crossbar, but City drew level just before the break.

Stephen Ireland sent both Wright-Phillips and Miller clear, and it was the latter who got the final touch to beat Fielding.

In the 59th minute City scored their winner when Miller met Lee Croft's cross and, despite Fielding's fine save, Wright-Phillips was on hand to steer the ball in.

There was another chance for De Vita to enhance his growing reputation further when he raced away late on, but Weaver did well to deny hm a second.

Rovers: Fielding, Kane, Nolan, Jones, Olsson, Watt, Stopforth, Hodge, Byrom, Welch (Clarke 69), De Vita. Subs not used: Thomson, Somodi, Woods, Judge.

Man City: Weaver, D. Mills, Thatcher, Laird, M. Mills (Ward 38), D'Laryea, Croft, Ireland (Grimes 80), Wright-Phillips (Kirk 61), Miller, Flood. Sub not used: Schmeichel.

Attendance: 229