A YOUNG Blackburn Rovers Academy side slipped to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester CIty on Saturday.

The hosts quickly found themselves three goals in front inside the first twenty minutes with some well taken strikes as the stronger City side took control.

A fourth was conceded at the start of the second half, then a fifth was scored from the penalty spot. But to their credit, Gary Bowyer's side didn't let their heads drop and continued to play their passing game, creating a host of chances as the game drew to a close.

There were first Academy starts for Matt Urwin, Filip Pivkovski and Osayamen Osawe, plus new signing Zac Aley also made his Rovers debut.

James Knowles grabbed a consolation for Rovers from the penalty spot late on, but it was too little too late.

ROVERS: Urwin, Ajagbe, Billington, Knowles, A. O'Connor, Pearson, O'Sullivan, Bowen (c), Osawe, Aley, Pivkovski (sub Vastic 46 mins (sub Lindsay 71 mins)).

Subs not used: Swann, Hitchcock.