A GOAL from David Dunn saw Rovers' Reserves defeat Hull City's second string at Ewood Park on Monday night.
In a game that Rovers had the better of for long periods, they only had David Dunn's strike 40 seconds into the second half to show for it.
But Dunn's 20 yard effort was enough for Iain Brunskill's side to claim the points.
Both sides featured a wealth of experience, although Rovers were robbed of Vince Grella when he picked up a strain in the warm-up.
Despite both sides fielding strong line-ups it was one of Rovers' rising stars who had the first meaningful effort at goal as Jackson Ramm cut in from the right to let fly, but his shot fizzed past the post.
Yildiray Basturk, who has yet to make a first team appearance, started to have an influence in proceedings. The Turkish international teed up Dunn who saw a shot deflected wide, then with a pinpoint pass he set Hoilett on his way, but Junior was flagged offside as he squared the ball for Di Santo who tapped home but saw his effort ruled out.
Hoilett and Basturk both shot wide, whilst Rovers 'keeper Jake Kean saved comfortably from Dean Marney in a rare Hull attack in a half that Rovers had the better of but couldn't turn their dominance into goals.
Supporters had barely returned to their seats at the start of the second half when Rovers finally broke the deadlock.
Just 40 seconds had been played when Brett Emerton intercepted a clearance to feed Dunn inside and the Rovers midfielder advanced before lashing a shot off the far post and into the back of the net.
Dunn then turned provider with a pinpoint cross-field pass, but Hoilett wasted the opportunity.
The Dunn and Basturk combined to find fellow midfielder Jason Lowe, but the youngster was unfortunate to see his well taken strike hit the post.
Rovers continued to threaten, Josh Morris was denied by Matt Duke when his free-kick was tipped over. Then the Hull 'keeper denied Emerton, touching his effort onto the roof of the net.
Substitute Maceo Rigters saw a shot after a forceful run deflect wide, whilst Basturk teed up Franco Di Santo but Duke saved with his legs.
Whilst Rovers' midfield and forward line had been full of experience, the same couldn't be said for the back four, but the central defensive pairing of Grant Hanley and Amine Linganzi put in a strong showing, backed up ably by full backs Ramm and Morris.
It wasn't until time added on at the end of the game that Hull finally threatened Rovers' goal meaningfully but Jake Kean showed strong hands to first claim a Bernard Mendy shot and then to save low down after an offside looking John Leonard poked goalwards.
Those attacks were too little too late for Hull as it was the Rovers Reserves who picked up all three points, and on top of that, the likes of David Dunn, Brett Emerton and Yildiray Basturk all got useful minutes under their belts.
ROVERS: Kean, Lowe, Ramm, Hanley, Linganzi, Morris, Emerton, Dunn (sub Blackman 76 mins), Di Santo, Basturk, Hoilett (sub Rigters 68 mins).
Subs not used: Swann, Potts, Banton.
HULL CITY: Duke, Leonard, Mendy, Olofinjana, Sonko, Cooper, Ghilas, Marney (sub Kendall 71 mins), Altidore, Folan (sub Featherstone 46 mins), Geovanni (sub Deagle 59 mins).
Subs not used: Davison, Wilkinson.
Booked: Di Santo, Lowe (Rovers)
Attendance: 334
