Rovers Reserves slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Monday evening.
On a night when both sides fielded starting eleven's with vastly experienced players, it was the young strikers of Bolton who grabbed the winning goals.
The evening had stared well for Rovers when Steven Reid, back after a hamstring strain, fired the home side in front from a free-kick on 28 minutes.
But Javlon Campbell levelled for Bolton just before the break capitalising on some hesitant Rovers defending.
Minutes after the restart Bolton scored what would be the eventual winner, half-time substitute Danny Ward steering the ball past Jason Brown.
There was drama at the death when Junior Hoilett's through ball saw Nikola Kalinić upended in the area. Danny Shittu saw red for the challenge, but Bolton 'keeper Ali Al Habsi superbly saved Brett Emerton's spot-kick.
This may have been a Reserve team clash, but both starting elevens featured players of vast experience. Rovers with the likes of Michel Salgado, Steven Reid and Brett Emerton. Whilst Bolton had Gavin McCann, Andy O'Brien and Danny Shittu in their ranks
A lively run from Junior Hoilett set the tempo for the game early on, he combined well with Elrio van Heerden to tee up Steven Reid, but the midfielder blazed horribly over defence.
The young Canadian then latched onto a Brett Emerton through ball but his left-footed strike flashed wide.
A crunching challenge between McCann and Reid saw the Rovers midfielder go down under the full weight of the tackle, but after some initial concern, he thankfully was able to continue.
The move of the first half almost saw a goal for right back Michel Salgado. The former Spanish star linked up first with van Heerden, then Nikola Kalinić, but he saw his shot deflected wide.
The deadlock was finally broken on 28 minutes. Following on from a McCann foul on Hoilett, Brett Emerton tapped the ball to the right for Steven Reid to find the back of the net with a low drive that deflected past Al Habsi.
But Rovers couldn't take that lead into the break and with seven minutes to go before half time some hesitant Rovers defending saw Javlon Campbell steal in between Jason Brown and Phil Jones to roll the ball home.
Four minutes after the restart and Iain Brunskill's side found themselves 2-1 down. Danny Ward taking advantage of a ricochet to steer the ball into the corner of the goal.
Junior Hoilett twice fired wide as the home side looked for a way back into the match, whilst at the other end Campbell headed pas the post from Lee's cross, before Basham chipped a ball over the bar.
But as the game seemed to be ambling towards full time, there was a repeat of the last minute drama that saw Rovers defeat Liverpool a fortnight ago.
Again it was the quick feet and thought of Hoilett that set Kalinić racing through on goal only for the young Croat to be hauled down from behind by Shittu. The referee had no hesitation in awarding Rovers a penalty kick and to issue a red card to the burly defender.
Shittu was in no hurry to leave the field of play, and had barely reached the touchline when Brett Emerton stepped up to take the spot-kick. But Ali Al Habsi was the hero as he dived full length to his left to brilliantly turn the Australian's effort around the post.
Performance wise it was a below par display from Rovers, but looking at the bigger picture, the likes of Salgado, Olsson, Emerton, Kalinić and Di Santo all came through 90 minutes, whilst the returning Steven Reid gained 70 minutes.
With two games in three days this coming week against Everton in the league and Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup, having a full strength squad available will be a huge boost.
ROVERS: Brown, Salgado, Olsson, Jones, Gunning, Reid (sub Lowe 71 mins), Emerton, van Heerden (sub Doran 63 mins), Kalinić, Di Santo, Hoilett.
Subs not used: Fielding, Hall, Haworth.
BOLTON: Al Habsi, Hunt, Stokes, Basham, O'Brien (sub Connolly 34 mins), Shittu, Lee, McCann (sub Sheridan 65 mins) Campbell, Vaz Te (sub Ward 46 mins), Riga.
Subs not used: Lainton, Mooy.
Sent off: Shittu (Bolton)
Attendance: 542
