IT was a tale of two free-kicks at Brockhall on Saturday morning as Rovers and Bolton Wanderers under 18s played out a 1-1 draw.

After a goalless first half it was the visitors who broke the deadlock on the hour mark with a free-kick from Lewis Proudfoot that went in off the woodwork.

But in injury time Rovers finally levelled when Jason Banton scored from a similar position when his free-kick crept inside the post.

In foggy conditions it was Rovers' under 18s who started the better of the two sides, Tom Hitchcock going close on ten minutes when heading over a cross from Jackson Ramm.

On 18 minutes the Rovers striker would go even closer with a strike of quality, but Hitchcock was unfortunate to see his left-footed shot crash off the post and Jason Banton couldn't take advantage with the rebound as he fired high over the bar.

The home side continued to create the better chances, Micah Evans saw a shot saved, whilst Matthew Pearson and Hitchcock both saw shots blocked in a goalmouth scramble.

Rovers started the second half with two excellent chances that they didn't take. After a strong forward run by Micah Evans, his centre was directed goalwards by Hitchcock only for the Bolton goalkeeper to make the save.

Moments later a corner from the right found its way to Hitchcock but he fired into the side netting when well placed.

But what followed was Bolton's best period of play, a spell that would see them take the lead.

Rovers goalkeeper Josh Swann had to be alert to deny one Bolton attacker, and Rovers were then fortunate from the rebound as the ball deflected onto the crossbar and away.

Swann then thwarted another attempt at goal from Bolton but he was powerless when the visitors did take the lead on the hour.

The referee spotted a dubious handball against Gearoid Morrissey and from the resulting free-kick Lewis Proudfoot hit a superb shot that clipped Swann's left post before finding the back of the net.

Rovers thought they had hit back straight away when Jackson Ramm scored after a strong run, but the referee had already blown for an infringement in the centre.

With Rovers struggling to make any headway against a strong Bolton outfit it looked like they would be suffering only their second home defeat of the season, especially after Jason Banton saw a shot from inside the area deflected over the bar with four minutes remaining.

Then as the game entered time added on a push on Micah Evans gave Rovers the chance to grab a share of the points with a free-kick 25 yards out and Jason Banton duly delivered with a strike that crept into the corner of the net. It was Banton's 13th goal of the season.

In a bad tempered game which saw a host of bookings, Bolton ended the match with ten men, but it made little difference as there was no time for Rovers to take advantage.

Rovers' under 18s are next in action on Thursday evening when they take on Manchester United in the 5th round of the FA Youth Cup at Ewood Park.

ROVERS: Swann, Ramm, Hanley, Pearson, C. O'Connor, Morrissey, Hall, Bowen, Evans, Hitchcock, Banton.

Subs not used: Urwin, Knowles, Ajagbe, Lindsay, Potts