Amario Cozier-Duberry netted a hat-trick for Blackburn Rovers Under-21s as a host of first-team players got valuable minutes.

Mike Sheron's side included the likes of Balasz Toth, Kyle McFadzean, John Buckley, Joe Rankin-Costello, Todd Cantwell and Cozier-Duberry, beating Carlisle United 5-0.

Unsurprisingly, Rovers' first-team quality shone through as they claimed a comfortable win in the Central League Cup.

It was a teenager who opened the scoring at Bumrpton Park. Igor Tyjon latched on to a ball forward, ghosted past his defender and slotted into the corner left-footed.

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That was the first of two goals in as many minutes as within 60 seconds, Cozier-Duberry notched his first. The on-loan Brighton & Hove Albion winger cut inside from the left and fired a low shot into the bottom near corner after Cantwell had hit the post.

Rovers controlled proceedings and dominated in midfield with Buckley, Rankin-Costello and Cantwell playing in third gear. They added a third after the interval when Cozier-Dubbery skipped past a defender and fired across goal, this time right-footed, and into the far corner.

The fourth arrived from the penalty spot. Brandon Powell was brought down by Dan Hopper and that gave Cozier-Duberry the chances to complete his hat-trick. He stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to complete his treble.

All of the senior players completed the 90 minutes, with the exception of Cantwell, who was withdrawn after 65 minutes.

There was still time for a fifth after a mazy run by Rankin-Costello saw him pick out Leo Duru at the back post for an easy tap-in.

Toth was a spectator for much of the game and had very little to do. But for the other senior players, valuable minutes in the leg ahead of facing Queens Park Rangers this weekend.

Blackburn Rovers: Toth, Duru, McFadzean, Litherland, Powell; Rankin-Costello, Buckley; Cozier-Duberry, Cantwell (Edmondson, 65'), Strich (Bloxham, 74'); Tyjon.