ROVERS' Academy side twice came from behind against Derby County on Saturday to earn a point in an exciting 3-3 draw at Brockhall.

The home side found themselves two goals down inside the first 25 minutes, the first on 20 when a defensive lapse allowed Derby to race clear to score and five minutes later the lead was doubled through a fine attacking move.

Arrears were reduced on 55 minutes when a cross from Martin McCubbin was handled in the area and Josh O'Keefe made no mistake from the spot to net his 11th goal for the Academy this season.

Chances came and went for both sides until five minutes from time when Rovers drew level. The goal was made by substitute Mamadi Keita who chased a lost cause, won the challenge, and set up Juvhel Tsoumou who equalised with a fine turn and shot inside the area.

But Rovers thought they'd blown their chance when Derby restored the lead sixty seconds later as the home side's defensive frailties were exposed to make the game 3-2 to the opposition.

However a minute later and the scores were level once again when Keita threaded a superb ball through to Michael O'Connor for the midfielder to make no mistake.

Speaking after the match, u18 coach Gary Bowyer said: "For the second week running we have to give a team a two-goal head start, but we did show a lot of character to come back.

"However we have to tighten up our defensive work at the back."

The under 18s play their final game of their season next weekend at Brockhall with a top of the table clash against league winners Manchester City, kick-off 11.00pm.

ROVERS: Arestidou, Roberts, King (sub Kavanagh 56 mins), O'Connor, Paterson, Wille, McCubbin, O'Keefe, Tsoumou, Kennedy, Skidmore (sub Keita 45 mins). Subs not used: Somodi, Hahll, B. Griffiths.