ROVERS' youngsters got back to winning ways on Saturday coming through a seven-goal thriller 4-3 away at Crewe Alexandra.

After defeat to Manchester City last time out, the Academy side needed a pick-me-up but found themselves a goal down before half-time, poor defending from a corner kick allowing the home side to take the lead.

In blustery conditions Rovers looked to have got to grips with the game in the second half when they quickly drew level. Aaron Doran ghosting in at the back post to latch onto a Michael O'Connor cross score two minutes after the restart.

Then Irishman Doran gave Rovers the lead when he scored from the penalty spot after Francis Zenaba had been pulled down in the area. Doran stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way to see Rovers 2-1 in front.

But that lead only lasted a couple of minutes as whilst the Rovers defence were arranging a free-kick, Crewe took it quickly to catch everyone out to make it 2-2.

In an enthralling end to the match midfielder Jake Simpson headed Rovers back in front from 12 yards out only for Crewe to once again draw level after defender Callum O'Connor was harshly adjudged to have fouled his man in the area and the Railwaymen converted the resulting spot-kick.

But it was Gary Bowyer's side who claimed all three points in the final moments when a Michael O'Connor pass found trialist Alex Marrow who rounded off a fine run with an excellent strike to give Rovers the win.

Speaking after the match, Bowyer said: "In terms of the result, the players showed a lot of character to keep going and getting back in the game when we kept getting pegged back

"individually we need to keep on improving."

ROVERS: Bussman, C. O'Connor, Kavanagh (sub Hall 60 mins), Zenaba, Gunning (c), Paterson, Doran, Marrow, Marshall, McCubbin (sub Simpson 50 mins), M. Connor.

Subs not used: Arestidou, Roberts, Ryan.