The under 18s kicked off their league campaign with a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic but it was a game in which they deserved much more.
For the woodwork was struck four times by Gary Bowyer's young charges as they only had Jason Banton's second half penalty to show for their efforts in the season's opener.
Rovers were on the front foot from the start, Osayamen Osawe seeing a shot saved from a Jason Banton cross after just six minutes.
Ten minutes later and Tom Hitchcock went close when he struck the outside of the post with a 25 yard effort.
Hitchcock fired over from the angle before it was Osawe turn to hit the woodwork, the young striker did brilliantly to cut in from the right to shoot left-footed but the ball struck the post and came out.
At the break Rovers goalkeeper Matthew Urwin had had very little to do.
Seven minutes after the restart and the woodwork was rattling once again. A James Knowles corner saw Hitchcock flick at the near post, Osawe headed goalwards but once again the ball struck the post.
A minute later Urwin was called into action, saving well at the near post.
That rare chance was only a brief respite for the home side as Rovers continued to press, Banton again unfortunate as his 20 yard effort smashed the crossbar.
The hour mark saw Rovers luck finally change in their favour when they were awarded a penalty. Defender Peter Wylie made a storming run on the overlap down the left, Jason Banton did well to feed the ball back to him inside the area before Wylie was upended by a rash challenge for a clear spot kick.
It was almost inevitable that the woodwork would be hit from the resulting penalty, but Jason Banton's spot kick struck the underside of the bar and nestled in the back of the net.
The lead only lasted thirteen minutes however as the home side levelled through a piece of fortune. After defending a free-kick into the area, the ball came out to a Charlton player who shot but the ball deflected off Matthew Pearson and flew past Urwin into the back of the net.
Rovers continued to create chances, Robbie Cotton headed over when well placed following a Knowles cross from the right, whilst Osawe fired over after turning well on the edge of the area.
At the death Charlton could have claimed an undeserved victory when a home striker saw himself clean through but Urwin did well to save the shot.
"Following the seven-hour journey the players showed a good attitude and on another day we could have won quite easily," said Gary Bowyer.
"We feel a tad unlucky having hit the woodwork four times, but it was a pleasing start from all the players and we look forward to the Aston Villa game next weekend."
ROVERS: Urwin, Knowles, A. O'Connor, Pearson, Wylie, Parry (sub Ajagbe 74 mins), Cotton, Hitchcock (sub Maclaren 77 mins), Evans, Osawe, Banton.
Subs not used: Edwards, O'Sullivan.
