Rovers and Manchester City's Reserves played out a 1-1 draw at Leigh Sports Village on Monday evening.
All the goals came in the first half as Gavin Gunning headed Rovers in front on 18 minutes before James Poole levelled just before the break.
The visitors had the better of the second forty-five, but the young Rovers defence kept Benjani and co. at back to claim a share of the spoils.
The first quarter hour was fairly non-eventful, a Vincent Kompany header that went over the bar the only chance of note in the first 15 minutes.
But it was Rovers who grabbed the lead on 18 from a well worked corner kick. Martin Olsson swinging the ball in from the left to be met powerfully by Gavin Gunning and he headed past former Rover Gunnar Nielsen in the City goal.
It was only the Irish under 19's second goal at Reserve team level.
That prompted Rovers best spell of possession of the game as despite their vastly more experienced opponents, Kompany and Michael Johnson were kept quiet by Rovers' midfield diamond, whilst Benjani up front got little change out of Phil Jones and Johnny Flynn.
A smart turn from Maceo Rigters then saw the Dutchman shoot through the crowd but his effort was just off target.
On the half hour Phil Jones did well to deflect a James Poole shot just past the post, then Frank Fielding denied the City striker diving to his right to stop his header.
But a three minute break in play after Julio Santa Cruz had fouled Kieran Trippier saw Rovers lose their impetus and City took advantage when on 45 minutes a cross from the right was swept home from close range by the lively Poole.
In changeable conditions the second half was slow to get going with more than 15 minutes played before a chance was registered.
A fine tackle from Gavin Gunning prevented Benjani from breaking through, but from the resulting corner kick Jason Lowe cleared Dedryck Boyata's close-range strike.
As the second half wore on City contained Rovers, Iain Brunskill having few chances in the final third as the play was centred more towards Frank Fielding's goal.
But the young Rovers defence held firm to pick up a useful point.
ROVERS: Fielding, Ramm, Gunning, Jones, Flynn, Lowe, Doran (sub Marshall 81 mins), Olsson, Santa Cruz (sub Potts 69 mins), Hoilett, Rigters.
Subs not used: Swann (GK), Hanley, Morris.
MAN CITY: Nielsen, Trippier, Cunningham, Boyata, Mee, Johnson, Mak, Kompany, Poole (sub Nimely 76 mins), Benjani, Marshall.
Subs not used: Johansen (GK), Tutte, Ibrahim.
Booked: Santa Cruz, Lowe (Rovers), Johnson (Man City)
Attendance: 1115
