Blackburn Rovers continued their preparation for the new Championship season as a youthful team drew 1-1 with Morecambe.

John Eustace split his squad, as he has for each friendly, with the 'second XI' getting 90 minutes at The Mazuma Stadium.

It was a good test for a lot of the younger lads, many of who might end up out on loan by the end of August if Eustace substantially bolsters his ranks.

Gwion Edwards put Morecambe ahead, poaching at the back post after a shot deflected off John Buckley and was parried out by goalkeeper Joe Hilton.

Rovers got themselves level with a sweeping team move, though. Buckley fizzed a ball into Igor Tyjon, who subtly lifted it over the defender for Ryan Hedges to score on his injury comeback.

It was a great moment for the 16-year-old and the Welshman, who was playing his first minutes in pre-season after a serious hamstring lay-off.

The second half saw a dip in tempo as legs tired, with goal-mouth action at a premium. Tyjon shot just over the bar whilst Dilan Markanday sent a shot just wide in the best of the game.


Rovers continued their theme of pre-season by starting in a 4-2-3-1 shape. It was Dilan Markanday who occupied the central role in a new position for the forward.

Harrison Wood and Tyjon were given chances to impress in a youthful XI from John Eustace. Hedges also made his injury return after being nursed back to fitness.

The hosts started the team the brightest and took an early lead through Edwards. Ben Tollitt's shot deflated off Buckley and was parried out by Hilton, allowing the former Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic forward to pounce.

Morecambe had a spell of dominance after that opener and looked particularly threatening down their right side. Hallam Hope proved a handful for the two centre-backs too with Rovers struggling to play through their press.

But as the half wore on, Eustace's men began to find pockets of space. Markanday grew more influential and forced a smart save from Stuart Moore after he was picked out in the box by Jake Garrett.

The 22-year-old then went on a mazy dribble, skipping past three men before unleashing a powerful shot that had to be tipped over by Moore.

The pressure eventually told as Rovers equalised and it was a fabulous team move. Buckley fizzed the ball into Tyjon and, as it popped up, he deftly flicked it over the defender for Ryan Hedges to finish.

That would be the Welshman's last decisive action after being withdrawn at half-time for Tom Bloxham. Rovers will continue to be cautious with him as he gets up to match speed.

The second half was a far more cagey affair. Rovers continued to dominate the ball but as the minutes ticked on and the legs tired, the tempo of the contest dipped, as did the goal-mouth action.

Tyjon's quick turn and shot was the best either side could muster until the 72nd minute. Substitute Dom Biniek let fly from the edge of the area and his thunderous strike went just wide.

That proved to be the last meaningful bit of action. 90 minutes in the legs for many of the players and some impressive performances, most notably from Markanday and Tyjon.