Rovers Under-18s lifted the Lancashire FA Professional Youth Cup following a 3-0 win against Bolton Wanderers.

Zack Stritch bagged a brace, with substitute Joe Boggan wrapping up the result in the final stages at Leyland.

Rovers went ahead inside the opening 15 minutes when Stritch slotted home from close range after some good work by Lewis Bell down the right flank.

Igor Tyjon came close to doubling the lead after getting on the end of Rhys Doherty’s cross but the crossbar came to Bolton’s rescue.

Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews had a penalty appeal turned down and the winger continued to cause problems after the break, teeing up Lewis Bell who was denied by a fine save from Jack Dallimore.

Bolton’s first clear-cut opportunity came when David Abimbola fired just wide of the post. Nick Michalski also made a smart stop to keep out substitute Conor Lewis’ effort.

Rovers added a second 13 minutes from time when Mullarkey-Matthews picked out Stritch in the box and he provided an emphatic finish into the roof of the net.

Boggan was immediately in the thick of the action after coming off the bench, keeping his cool to pick out the bottom corner after combining with Rory Finneran.

After the final whistle, captain Matty Litherland lifted the trophy as Ryan Kidd’s side were crowned county cup champions.

Mike Sheron’s Under-21 side also ran out 5-1 winners against Nottingham Forest at Meadow Lane on Monday night.

Rovers were 4-0 up at the break after goals from Zak Gilsenan, Semir Telalovic, Dilan Markanday and Jake Batty.

Leo Duru also got on the scoresheet nine minutes from time after Ben Perry had pulled one back for the hosts.

Sheron was delighted to bounce back from defeats against Aston Villa and West Ham in the Premier League Cup and league respectively.

After the game, he told RoversTV: “It was really pleasing to get quite an emphatic result.

“It was good to see Zak get another goal and Leo Duru get what I think was his sixth assist in the last three or four games now.

“The first-team lads all contributed to a really good team performance. We were definitely clinical after struggling in the first 20 minutes with their high press, which was difficult to play against initially.

“Once we got the goal, we got another goal quite quickly and then another goal, which helped us win the game and ensured the confidence and belief grew.

“The challenge at half time was to keep a clean sheet but Nottingham Forest have to be given some credit because they have some good players with good energy, just as we saw in the FA Youth Cup a few years ago, with the players that also played in that game.

“It was a good game and we’re pleased with the result.”

The result sees Sheron’s side climb to 15th in the Premier League 2 table. They are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they take on Arsenal Under-21s at Leyland.