Rovers' Academy got back to winning ways at the weekend with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra.

Scorelines hadn't reflected performances in recent weeks, but a brace from Jason Banton and a fine strike from Michael Potts confirmed Rovers' first three-point haul of the new year.

As has been the case in recent weeks, Rovers started strongly when inside the first minute a chance was created, Banton's threaded through ball finding Jordan Bowen but his shot was brilliantly saved.

A minute later and Banton, making his first Academy start, found fellow debutant Micah Evans, but he fired wide from eight yards out.

Banton himself then missed a great chance at the midway point of the half when from a Josh Morris centre he headed over from inside the six yard box, then Morris twice missed chances himself.

Then as the half drew to a close, Jason Lowe saw a shot cleared off the line after Banton's effort was blocked.

But just as it looked like Rovers would once again fail to turn their dominance into goals, the breakthrough finally came on 55 minutes. It began with a strong run down the left from Morris, he was tackled initially but the ball arrived at the feet of Banton who drove home with a left-footed strike from just inside the area.

Crewe had offered little as an attacking force, but a fine double-save from the returning Bjorn Bussmann kept Rovers' lead intact just past the hour mark.

But boosted by their goal, Rovers increased their lead with 15 minutes remaining, their fine free-flowing football paying dividends with a brilliant second goal when Michael Potts cut in from the right and curled a superb left-footed effort into the far corner of the net.

A deserved third duly arrived five minutes from time, Micah Evans, who ran tirelessly throughout, played Jason Banton through to out-muscle his marker before clipping the ball over the advancing keeper for his second of the match.

After the game coach Gary Bowyer said: "It was a thoroughly deserved victory, and we are delighted to get a long overdue victory which some of the performances since of the turn of the year have certainly warranted.

"It will give us something to build on, it was one of the youngest teams that we have put out which is good for their development."

ROVERS: Bussmann, Jones, Hall, Lowe, Hanley, A. O'Connor, Evans, Bowen (sub Morrissey 72 mins), Potts, Morris (sub Simpson 85 mins).

Subs not used: Parry, Swann.