A disappointing defensive display cost Rovers as the under 18s fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Crewe at the weekend.
Rovers started brightly, but it was the home side who opened the scoring on 12th minute courtesy of a header in the area.
Gary Bowyer's side levelled just after the half hour when Jordan Bowen scored direct from a corner, but just before the break Crewe regained the lead from the penalty spot. Then more suicidal defending cost Rovers as Crewe grabbed a third just a minute after the restart.
Rovers pressed for a route back into the game but it came too late to have an effect. Tom Hitchcock firing home from the penalty spot after a hand ball in the area in the 90th minute as they tasted defeat once again.
The Rovers Academy started confidently, enjoying plenty of possession, but without creating a chance of note, and that proved to be their downfall when the home side took the lead.
Midfielder Gearoid Morrissey failed to track his runner and as the ball was crossed into the penalty area the Crewe player had a free header to put them in front.
Rovers looked to hit back, Jason Lowe shot wide, Gearoid Morrissey fired over the bar from well placed. Whilst from corner kicks defenders Parry and Hanley failed to convert their chances.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 34 minutes. A great run by Jordan Bowen resulted in a corner kick, and from it Bowen's inswinger flew straight into the back of the net for a stunning goal.
Rovers continued to press, but on 41 minutes Potts gave possession away cheaply, resulting a corner for Crewe. The kick was over hit to the rear of the area, but Grant Hanley pulled his man down on the edge of the box and Crewe converted from the spot.
A minute after the restart Rovers fell further behind as more poor defensive play proved costly. Goalkeeper Bjorn Bussmann's throw was cut out and from resulting cross Crewe had a free header to make it 3-1.
Substitutes Jason Banton and Tom Hitchcock combined to create a great chance on the hour mark. Banton crossing for Hitchcock but the striker's shot hit the post. Moments later Jake Simpson saw an effort cleared off the line.
Banton fired wide when well placed and Morrissey was denied by good save after a shot from the edge of the area as they laid siege to the Crewe defence, but when the breakthrough finally came it left little time to earn a point.
Gearoid Morrissey's shot into the box was handled and Tom Hitchcock converted from the spot, but it was too little too late as rovers succumbed to another defeat.
"We played some really good football at times," said Bowyer. "We totally dominated the game in terms of possession, but once again gave away three really cheap goals."
ROVERS: Bussmann, O'Connor, Hall, Lowe, Hanley, Parry, Simpson (sub Jones 75 mins), Bowen, Morrissey, Potts (sub Hitchcock 60 mins), Morris (sub Banton 45 mins).
Subs not used: Swann.
