John Buckley made his return from injury as Rovers Under-21s booked their place in the Premier League Cup knockout stages with a 3-2 win against Sheffield United.

Buckley has been out of action since December when his loan at Sheffield Wednesday was cut short by injury.

Zak Gilsenan bagged a brace for Mike Sheron’s side, with Junior Nsangou also getting on the scoresheet in Chesterfield.

Rovers started brightly and went in front midway through the first half when Nsangou tapped home Leo Duru’s low cross.

The lead was doubled minutes later when Buckley picked out Gilsenan, who got past his man and fired past Jordan Amissah.

The Blades pulled one back when Fernando Macedo pounced on an error by Nick Michalski and slotted into the empty net.

The equaliser came when Owen Hampson latched onto Ryan One’s pass and showed composure to go round Michalski.

Rovers regained the lead on the stroke of half time. Gilsenan got himself in the right place to score after more good work by Duru down the right flank.

Buckley made way at the break after getting some valuable minutes under his belt. He was replaced by Charlie Weston.

The second half was less eventful, although One was sent off 10 minutes from time for a late foul on Charlie Olson.

Reading beat West Brom 3-0 which meant Rovers’ result was enough to finish second in the group and progress to the next stage.

Sheron’s side are back in action on Friday, February 9 when they continue their Premier League 2 campaign against Fulham at the Motspur Park training ground (7pm).

Michalski, Olsen (Haddow 82), Gamble, Atcheson, Duru, O’Grady-Macken (Whitehall 82), Buckley (Weston 45), Batty, Biniek (Stritch 65), Gilsenan, Nsangou. Unused: Khan.

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