CARLOS Villanueva announced himself on the football stage with a man-of-the-match performance as Rovers booked themselves a place in the third round of the Carling Cup.

After Rovers were given an early scare when Tom Newey's 7th minute free-kick deceived Jason Brown, it was the forward from Santiago who took centre-stage to turn the game in the home side's favour.

Firstly he scored a fine solo effort from the edge of the area, a low curling effort that gave Phil Barnes no chance, then it was the Chilean's strike that couldn't be held by Barnes for Matt Derbyshire to snap up the rebound.

The 22-year-old was also involved in Rovers' third goal, switching the ball to the right for Derbyshire to cross where Emerton was on hand to fire high into the roof of the net.

After the restart Derbyshire quickly added his second on the night after fine play from Treacy and Pedersen, but for all his attempts the England under 21 international couldn't grab that elusive hat-trick as Barnes made a number of fine saves to stop the score from increasing further.

It was a night to remember for so many as four players made their Ewood debuts, but it was the debut display of Carlos Villanueva that will have left the home fans purring as they departed into the night.

With an eye on the weekend's match against his former club West Ham, Paul Ince made eight changes from the side that started against Hull City in the Premier League at the weekend. Just captain Ryan Nelsen, Aaron Mokoena and Morten Gamst Pedersen retaining their places in the starting eleven.

That meant senior debuts for Carlos Villanueva and Danny Simpson, whilst Jason Brown and Keith Treacy were given rare runouts and a chance to impress.

The echoes from referee Mike Oliver's whistle had barely died down when Rovers registered an effort on target, when from the kick-off the ball was played up to Derbyshire on the edge of the area but his clipped effort flew narrowly over the bar.

Minutes later the England under 21 international was at it again, but from Emerton's right-wing cross he headed over the bar.

But despite that early pressure it was the Mariners who stunned Ewood Park by striking the first blow. Carlos Villanueva looked to have been fouled himself but the referee ruled the offence in the visitor's favour. From the resulting 25-yard free-kick Tom Newey hit the ball over the wall and also past Jason Brown on the line. The ball taking a slight deflection to deceive the Rovers goalkeeper.

To their credit Paul Ince's side didn't get flustered or let their heads drop, from the restart Carlos Villanueva saw a shot on the turn but Barnes was on hand to push the ball around the post. Moments later Barnes again saved Grimsby diving to save Morten Gamst Pedersen's back post effort.

Rovers continued to pass the ball around with ease forcing their opponents to retreat, but they could do little about the leveller when it came on 18 minutes. Brett Emerton played the ball up to Villanueva, he controlled the ball turned and hit a wonderful curling left-footed effort from the edge of the box that nestled in the far corner leaving Barnes with no chance.

It was a tremendous way to introduce himself on the stage that is English football.

But the goal prompted a mini revival from Grimsby, a run down the right from Peter Till picked out Nick Hegarty in the area but he couldn't control the ball. Then Zurab Khizanishvili missed the ball completely allowing Nathan Jarman to run at goal, but from an ever-increasingly tight angle he fired straight across goal.

That as all the warning Rovers needed as they stepped up a gear once more to take the lead for the first time on the night just past the half hour.

Again it was Carlos Villanueva in the thick of things, his turn and shot this time taking a deflection, Phil Barnes in the Grimsby goal did well to stop the ball from crossing the line but was powerless to stop Matt Derbyshire from snapping up the rebound to score from five yards out.

Five minutes later a Rovers break saw Tugay with options to his left and right, he chose to go left and to Villanueva, but the Chilean's long-range effort was just wide of the far post.

But the home fans didn't have long to wait before they were cheering another goal, when on 39 minutes Villanueva's ball out wide right was played in low by Derbyshire for Brett Emerton to open his account for the season with a first-time effort that flew into the top corner of the net.

It was his first goal at Ewood Park since November 2005.

A minute later and it was very nearly 4-1, a mistake by Matt Heywood gifted the ball to Pedersen, his centre was cleared only as far as Emerton who hit a stinging drive that Barnes did brilliantly to tip aside.

After that early scare, Paul Ince will have been delighted with the response from his side as they went in at half-time with a handsome lead.

But seconds after the restart that lead was very nearly reduced. Nick Hegarty raced clear of the Rovers defence but Jason Brown slid out to make the save, the loose ball was kind to the Grimsby forward, but as he hooked the ball towards the empty net the home side were releaved to see the ball land on the roof of the net.

Treacy and Villanueva both saw excellent crosses come to nothing but on 55 minutes Pedersen and Treacy again combined for the Norwegian to centre where a fast arriving Matt Derbyshire lashed the ball home at the near post for his second on the night.

Derbyshire went in search of grabbing his hat-trick goal, from a Villanueva cross he headed just wide, then from substitute Paul Gallagher's centre Matt found the back of the net only to turn to see the linesman's flag was raised, it was a close call.

Then it was Morten Gamst Pedersen's turn to be denied when a low cross from Derbyshire picked out the Norwegian but from point-blank range his effort struck the goalkeeper.

With an eye on the weekend's match against West Ham, Paul Ince made three changes in quick succession. The aforementioned Gallagher replaced Brett Emerton whilst there were senior debuts for Alan Judge and Marcus Marshall on for Ryan Nelsen and Morten Gamst Pedersen respectively.

Those changes didn't alter the flow of play towards Phil Barnes' goal. Paul Gallagher was fed inside the area by Marcus Marshall but Barnes saved his effort. He couldn't hold the shot as Derbyshire tried to snap up the lose ball but his effort also struck the former Blackpool goalkeeper.

Carlos Villanueva very nearly capped a man-of-the-match display with a further goal. When from an 89th minute free-kick his left-footed effort from 25 yards clipped the top of the crossbar.

In the final minute of added time Derbyshire was again denied by Barnes, but despite his two goals, the night very much belonged to a young Chilean called Carlos.

ROVERS: Brown, Simpson, Khizanishvili, Nelsen (c) (sub Judge 67 mins), Treacy, Emerton (sub Gallagher 70 mins), Mokoena, Tugay, Pedersen (sub Marshall 77 mins), Villanueva, Derbyshire.

Subs not used: Robinson (GK), Santa Cruz, Kane, Hodge.

GRIMSBY TOWN: Barnes, Newey, Bennett, Heywood (c), Till (sub Taylor 66 mins), Boshell, Clarke, Hunt, Hegarty, Heslop. Jarman (sub Butler 66 mins).

Subs not used: Montgomery (GK), North, Llewellyn, Bore.

Booked: Simpson (Rovers), Boshell, Bennnett (Grimsby).

Attendance: 8,379