ANTHONY Stokes and Liam Feeney struck in either half to earn Rovers Under-23s a hard-fought draw with Oldham - but it wasn’t enough to keep their Checkatrade Trophy campaign alive.

Damien Johnson’s side needed to win by three goals at Ewood Park and then hope Fleetwood lose at Carlisle tonight.

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But despite putting together decent spells on a rainy night in front of only a smattering of fans, their efforts proved in vain. They then lost the bizarre penalty shootout which earned Oldham a bonus point.

The Rovers line-up featured four first teamers, with Stokes and Feeney joining Elliott Bennett and Wes Brown in the starting XI.

After Josh Law had sent a shot over the Blackburn bar, the hosts carved out the first real chance when Bennett found Feeney breaking down the right but his first-time cross was too close to Oldham goalkeeper Connor Ripley, son of Rovers legend Stuart.

Connor Mahoney tested Ripley with a shot from 15 yards and then played in Bennett who cut a cross back for Stokes but the Oldham defence snuffed out the chance.

Rovers took the lead in the 22nd minute when Stokes showed his class.

David Raya’s long kick was flicked on by Ryan Nyambe and the Irishman curled a shot into the top corner.

Oldham responded and Scott Wharton fouled Calaum Jahraldo-Martin in a dangerous position on the edge of his own box. Law sent the set-piece high into the Blackburn End.

The visitors were enjoying more possession but failed to string anything together until Billy McKay headed Jamie Reckord’s cross wide of the far post.

The half ended with Rovers carving out two decent chances.

Lewis Hardcastle passed up the first when Bennett spotted his run down the inside right channel but the youngster’s first touch let him down.

Then Bennett got on the end of a Feeney cross, guiding it wide of the near post.

Oldham made two changes at the break and, after Ryan Flynn had hit the Rovers bar, they combined to get their side level.

Experienced midfielder Lee Croft won the ball and drove forward before picking out Freddie Ladapo who buried his first-time shot on the run.

Latics looked a totally different side and Raya did well to tip Charles Dunne’s downward header over the bar after it bounced up off the slick turf.

Johnson’s team were stung by the leveller and surged up the other end, Stokes failing to control Bennett’s cross when faced only with Ripley to beat.

Feeney blasted a chance over from a tight angle after he was picked out by Stephen Hendrie from the byline, before Stokes tried his luck from 30 yards with a shot straight at Ripley.

Feeney switched wings with Mahoney and it was from his new position that he produced a rare piece of quality, putting in two step-overs before smashing a fierce right-foot drive into the top corner.

Mahoney then fired wide as Rovers continued to press.

But Oldham were level when centre-half Brian Wilson stabbed home from close range after a free-kick from the left.

Ousmane Fane was booked for a late tackle and from the free-kick Brown rose highest in the box but could only head wide.

Johnson and his assistant David Dunn were by now deep in conversation in the technical area, but they didn’t make another change and instead urged their side on.

Rovers did respond but Stokes blasted over from outside the box. Oldham had a late break when Croft found McKay but he failed to clip back inside for the onrushing Ladapo.

That meant penalties, with Oldham winning it 5-4 as Lewis Tomlinson saw his effort saved and Feeney blasted over.

But it meant little to Rovers, who were down and out anyway.