RAFFAELE De Vita hit a fine brace as Rovers reserves beat title-chasing Manchester United 3-2 at Ewen Field last night.

The man from Rome struck twice in the first half, but the home side pegged Rovers back before Eddie Nolan headed the eventual winner.

Rovers took the lead on 25 minutes when Ryan Woods' corner kick was flicked in at the near post by De Vita.

Just before the break, the Italian doubled Rovers' lead when a long ball upfield from Tony Kane was left by the defenders and De Vita stole in to hammer home his third reserve goal of the season.

The home side hadn't threatened at all but inside two minutes they were back on level terms, through an own goal and a superb strike from Jamie Mullan.

But Rovers went straight up the other end to grab the winner. Joel Byrom forced a fine save from Steele with an effort from distance and from the resulting Woods corner, Nolan headed the ball into the back of the net.

ROVERS: Lee, Kane (King 75 mins), Olsson, Stopforth, Jones, Nolan, Watt (c), Byrom, De Vita, Garner (Clarke 78 mins), Woods. Unused subs: Griffiths, Fielding, Thomson.