BLACKBURN Rovers’ reserve team suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at Sunderland last night.

A youthful Rovers team - including midfielder Andy Haworth, who made his first-team debut last week - started well in the Barclays Premier Reserve League (North) encounter.

Roque Santa Cruz’s younger brother Julio hit a stunning 35-yard volley narrowly over before heading a cross from Astrit Ajdarevic - the Swede on trial from Liverpool - just wide.

Rovers keeper Mark Bunn then saved Rade Prica’s effort only for Jamie Chandler to follow up and open the scoring.

Rovers were 2-0 down at half time when David Meyler forced the ball home from a corner.

Jack Colback added a third after the interval with a 35-yard strike and Prica made it 4-0.

Rovers: Mark Bunn, Tony Kane, Jonathan Bateson, Dean Winnard, Alex Marrow, Bryan Hodge, Alan Judge, Josh O’Keefe (Michael Potts 74), Julio Santa Cruz, Astrit Ajdarevic (Marcus Marshall 59), Andy Haworth. Subs not used: Bjorn Bussman, Jason Lowe, Grant Hanley.