A YOUTHFUL Rovers Academy side defeated Leeds United 2-1 at Thorp Arch on Saturday.

The win coming courtesy of first goals from Zac Aley and Matthew Pearson (pictured).

In a highly competitive game it was Rovers who started the brighter of the two sides, with Zac Aley, making his second start in a Rovers shirt since his move from Southport, looking lively in the opening exchanges.

The striker capitalised on a backpass early on but the Leeds goalkeeper saved well. Aley was then thwarted once again when he let fly from 20 yards, but the save was equally impressive.

Rovers then thought they had taken the lead when Jamie Maclaren scored, but he was harshly flagged offside.

At the other end Jake Kean in the Rovers goal was little more than a spectator in the first half as Rovers dominated.

Rovers finally got the goal their played deserved six minutes after the restart when a Reece Hands free-kick was glanced home by Zac Aley.

But Rovers didn't hold onto the lead for long as just five minutes later it was 1-1. The defencing failing to stop the ball reaching the Leeds striker and he scored with a shot across the goal.

The young Rovers weren't to be denied and they grabbed a deserved winner in the last minute of the game. Damilola Ajagbe's free-kick into the area was met by Matthew Pearson and his looping header found the back of the net.

"It was a fantastic performance from a very young team," said under 18s coach Gary Bowyer. "We had four under 16s and Adam Henley made his debut.

"I'm delighted with the performance and the effort and we are starting to pick it up and learn what it is about following the results against Manchester United and Manchester City recently.

"We have played a lot of under 16s recently, getting them used to it early for next season."

ROVERS: Kean, Henley, Pearson, Lindsay, Billington, O'Sullivan (sub Pivkovski 60 mins), Hands, Ajagbe, Maclaren, Rustemaj, Aley.

Subs not used: A. O'Connor, Urwin, Osawe.