Rovers came from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils in Bolzano.

In the hot and humid conditions of northern Italy and on a pitch that had seen better days, Roma raced into a two goal advantage courtesy of strikes from Rodrigo Taddei and John Arne Riise.

But Paul Gallagher reduced arrears just before the break and the deserved comeback was complete on 52 minutes when Aaron Doran scored his first senior goal.

Rovers had chances to win the game through Doran and Benni McCarthy but the game ended in a draw but it had been a well worth exercise for the players.

Because of the level scoreline there was a mini penalty shootout, Roma winning that 3-2 when Alan Judge saw his spot kick saved.

For the game against AS Roma Rovers lined up 4-3-3, Jason Roberts being supported up front by El Hadji Diouf on the left and Paul Gallagher on the right, whilst Nzonzi, Andrews and Grella formed a midfield trio. Lars Jacobsen played the full ninety minutes at right back.

In hot and humid conditions it was somewhat inevitable that the Italian side would start the brighter, keeping the ball well despite the bumpy surface.

Former Serie A midfielder Vince Grella stopped Roma from claiming the first effort on target after ten minutes, when following Totti's clever flick Okaka raced away into the area, but the Australian was back in the nick of time to tackle the Roma number nine.

But despite their bright opening it was Rovers who started to gain the upper hand.

They had a goal chalked off after 12 minutes, when Diouf's free-kick from the left was knocked back at the far post by a rising Nzonzi for Andrews to sweep home, but the flag was raised as the young Frenchman had strayed offside.

El Hadji Diouf fired wide following Jason Roberts' flick, then from a Diouf centre from the left Philipe Mexes could only head straight to Keith Andrews, but from a similar position to the goal he scored against Cambridge United on Tuesday he could only fire over the bar.

Moments later Rovers were however to find themselves a goal down, Nzonzi was caught in possession by Rodrigo Taddei and there was no stopping the Brazilian who charged to the edge of the area before beating Jason Brown with a fearsome strike.

Then Brown stopped Roma from doubling their lead on 29 minutes when he saved sharply from close-range to stop Okaka registering.

But then Rovers created chances of their own with Brazilian goalkeeper Artur saving Roma on several occasions as Sam Allardyce's side laid siege.

Firstly a Diouf centre deflected goalwards forcing Artur to react quickly to stop the ball crossing the line, then Paul Gallagher turned well in the penalty area but his effort was turned away. The ball was quickly moved to Keith Andrews who unleashed a 25 yard strike that the Roma stopper tipped over the bar.

However just as it looked like Rovers would grab a leveller, it was the Serie A side who doubled their lead on 36 minutes.

Again it was striker Okaka who was cause of the problems, racing towards goal he was brought down from behind by Givet, and from the resulting free-kick Pizarro tapped the ball to former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise and he smashed the ball low through the crowd into the corner of the net for a goal against the run of play.

On 42 minutes it was Stephen Warnock's turn to be thwarted by the Roma goalkeeper when from a Paul Gallagher cross from the right Nzonzi couldn't get a clean connection, but as the ball skimmed the top of his head it found Warnock who let fly, but Artur was there again to acrobatically push away.

But Rovers weren't to be denied and they finally got the goal their display deserved a minute before the break. Jason Roberts showing his characteristic strength to outmuscle Riise, advancing into the area he faced up to the goalkeeper before slipping the ball to his left to Paul Gallagher who made no mistake.

The second half brought with it a host of changes from both sides, Allardyce making seven changes with just Brown, Warnock, Jacobsen and Diouf remaining from the first half team, although Warnock was quickly replaced by Olsson after picking up a minor knock.

Rovers wasted little time in getting back on level terms with a fine flowing move on 52 minutes. Keith Treacy picked the ball up on the right wing to send it over to Diouf arriving in from the left, his header found Aaron Doran in an advanced position and the young Irishman cooly found the back of the net.

Jason Brown stopped the Italian side from regaining the lead a minute later when a fiercely struck free-kick from Ahmed Barusso looked to be aiming for the top corner, but the Rovers goalkeeper, who made a cameo appearance as a right winger against Cambridge, leapt to his right to push the ball onto the bar and over.

The changes continued to be made, Morten Gamst Pedersen replacing Diouf for his first taste of the action this pre-season, whilst Roma switched players regularly, just the familiar site of John Arne Riise remaining.

But it was the our Norwegian who almost set Rovers away for a third when his through ball saw Doran giving chase but Artur arrived just head of the Rovers man to clear, then from a Pedersen knock down Benni McCarthy tried his luck, but his volleyed effort deflected wide.

The noisy Roma fans tried to raise their team at the death, but Adrian Pit sliced terribly wide when well placed.

Next stop for Rovers is Croatia for two 45 minute matches against Hajduk Split and CD Nacional on Saturday evening in Split.

ROVERS 1st HALF: Brown, Jacobsen, Samba, Givet, Warnock, Grella, Nzonzi, Andrews, Gallagher, Roberts, Diouf.

ROVERS 2nd HALF: Brown, Jacobsen, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Warnock (sub Olsson 49 mins), Dunn, Doran, Judge, Treacy, McCarthy, Diouf (sub Pedersen 60 mins).