BLACKBURN Rovers’ under 18s crashed to their sixth successive defeat on Saturday after sloppy defending saw them lose 3-2 at Crewe.

After an encouraging start to the season, Rovers’ nightmare November has continued this month, with Saturday’s loss preceded by an exit from the FA Youth Cup at the hands of Charlton.

Boss Gary Bowyer insists there were again some positives to take from the performance but admits poor defending continues to prove costly.

He said: “We played some really good football at times. We totally dominated the game in terms of possession, but once again gave away three really cheap goals.”

After a bright start, Rovers allowed Crewe take the lead on 12 minutes with a free header from inside the penalty area.

The visitors hit back though and levelled around the half hour mark, when Jordan Bowyer’s corner caught everyone out and swung directly in for the equaliser.

Crewe, though, regained the lead just before the break from the penalty spot, after Grant Hanley pulled his opponent down, and a minute after the restart Rovers were facing a mountain to climb.

Goalkeeper Bjorn Bussmann’s throw was cut out and from the resulting cross, the hosts made it 3-1.

Tom Hitchcock did score from the spot late on to pull a goal back, after Gearoid Morrisey’s strike had been handled, but it proved too little too late.