Ethan Walker made it six goals in five games to help Rovers book their spot in the Lancashire Senior Cup semi-finals.

Walker struck twice against his former club, both close range finishes from excellent Georgie Gent crosses, to see off Preston North End at Brockhall.

Rovers included two trialists in their ranks, with defender Mark Chidi, released by West Bromwich Albion last summer, starting at left centre back, while Hakeem Sandah, of Huddersfield Town, lined up in the No.10 role.

Sandah was replaced at the break after struggling for an impact, while Chidi played 70 minutes before Pat Gamble came on in his place for the closing stages.

Only four players remained from the side beaten by Liverpool in Premier League 2 at the weekend, with Rovers in action again at the weekend when they host Arsenal on Saturday.

Rovers led nine minutes before the break owing to excellent work by Georgie Gent. He showed a burst of pace to break clear of Finlay Wallbank to deliver a cross that put it on a plate for Ethan Walker to slot home.

Gent had been Rovers’ brightest player in the first half and showed his quality to create the first chance of the game.

North End were delivering plenty of crosses into the box, but Rovers were defending well, with a series of good blocks.

George Pratt and Jake Batty did well to stop Kitt Nelson getting attempts on target, before an acrobatic effort from the striker, after a Max Wilson cross, flew over the top.

There was a moment of concern for Rovers before the break, as Aidan Dowling, a late replacement for Jordan Eastham who pulled out with illness ahead of kick-off, let a cross from Ethan Eccleston through his fingers, but Pratt got back to clear on the line.

The game started to become more stretched in the final half hour, with Gent denied a goal of his own when adjudged to be offside as he turned in when Walker’s acrobatic shot was saved.

Jake Batty, who impressed at left back, fired over from a Gent corner, before North End were denied an equaliser on three separate occasions.

Jacob Slater’s deflected shot hit the inside of the post, with Pratt and Dowling making goal-line blocks to keep the lead intact.

It was becoming a theme that excellent blocks were helping preserve Rovers’ lead, and that continued three minutes before the end when a host of players threw themselves in the way of Nelson’s close range shot after good work by Ethan Eccleston.

Rovers hadn’t taken their chances to make the game safe, with James Pradic denying Walker with his legs, after good work from Jared Harlock, while Harrison Wood’s shot bounced just over the bar.

Mike Sheron’s did eventually make it safe just as the additional time was being signalled. It was finished off again by Walker at the far post after being found by Gent’s delivery.

It was Rovers who then looked to extend their lead in the three additional minutes, with Wood denied by a flying Pradic saved, while Gent curled a shot narrowly wide before the referee blew his whistle.

Rovers, 20 times winners of the competition, will now face either Burnley, Barrow or Accrington Stanley/Rochdale when the last four draw is made.

 

Rovers: Dowling, Montgomery, Chidi, Pratt, Batty, Weston, Harlock, Edmondson, Gent, Sandah, Walker

Subs: Blease, Burns