BENNI McCarthy wasted no time in getting back amongst the goals as Rovers took a huge step towards reaching the qualifying stage of the UEFA Cup.

The South African picked up where he left off last season by firing Rovers in front on 29 minutes as Mark Hughes' were slow to make their mark at the Vetra Stadium on a dry and bumpy surface.

In a match that certainly resembled a pre-season friendly rather than a gateway through to the UEFA Cup, Rovers laboured to overcome their hosts, and were grateful when substitute Matt Derbyshire doubled Rovers' lead with a crisp drive ten minutes from time.

The home side, who have played more than twenty games this season compared to Rovers' two, spurned their best chances in the first half, with Rovers thankful that Vetra were wasteful in front of goal.

Other pluses for Rovers on the night was the ninety minutes that both Robbie Savage and Andre Ooijer got under their belts, their first since their leg breaks back in January.

Rovers saw a lot of early pressure and a lot of the ball but it was the home side who had the first clear-cut chance of note. Bentley was robbed on the wing by Sasnaukas who ran at the Rovers defence before playing the ball out wide for Severino, the Brazilian centred but thankfully for Rovers Stankevicius spurned the chance by firing wide.

Christopher Samba and Jason Roberts both had headed chances but neither effort troubled the Vetra goal.

Mark Hughes' side certainly looked like a team that hadn't had much football in recent months, the home side's quickness in attack causing problems, a poor back-header from Ooijer saw Friedel stranded, Severino flicked the ball forward but it rolled agonisingly wide.

But just past the half hour Rovers finally poked their noses in front, an initial Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick from the right side of the area was played back to the Norwegian by Andre Ooijer, Pedersen delivered a second time for Benni McCarthy to volley home from the edge of the six yard box.

But just three minutes later Vetra should have levelled, Bozinovski found his way through on goal but fired wide from ten yards out.

Whilst the first half was full of energy and enthusiasm, the second half was in total contrast. Rovers content to keep possession, limiting the home side to few chances.

But Rovers themselves didn't offer much going forward themselves, Jason Roberts looked strong in control of the ball, but time and time again his efforts at goal were blocked.

Maceo Rigters and Matt Derbyshire were brought on for goalscorer McCarthy and Bentley to add extra pace up front, but it was the home side who grew in confidence.

However like the first half they were wasteful in front of goal, Azizi fluffing a chance from the left.

Just as it looked like Rovers would have to endure a nervous last ten minutes, Matt Derbyshire settled the encounter when he drilled a crisp shot into the back of the net from 25 yards, but Zutautas certainly didn't cover himself in glory with attempted save.

Vetra had a late rally forcing a series of corner kicks, but Mark Hughes will be relieved that they look to have overcome difficult opponents on a testing surface with a professional performance.

FK VETRA: Zutautas, Botelho, Sasnauskas, Usaciov, Skerla, Bozinovski, Panka, Juska, Butrimavicius (sub Azizi 63 mins), Stankevicius (sub Karcemarskas 63 mins), Severino (sub Vezevicihs 78 mins). Subs not used: Kozyrev (GK), Raliukonis, Tselyukh, Grigaitis.

ROVERS: Friedel, Ooijer, Warnock, Samba, Tugay (sub Mokoena 46 mins), Nelsen, Savage, McCarthy (sub Rigters 65 mins), Bentley (sub Derbyshire 65 mins), Pedersen, Roberts. Subs not used: Brown (GK), Henchoz, Dunn, Berner.

Attendance: 5200