A Harry Leonard hat-trick helped Rovers Under-21s to back-to-back wins in all competitions as Mike Sheron's youngster got their first Premier League Cup points of the campaign thanks to a 3-2 victory against Peterborough United Under-21s.

Leonard produced the goods in the first half, firing home an equaliser before putting the visitors 2-1 up and then 3-1 up at the interval at the Zeeco Stadium with his fifth and sixth goals in three games.

Although Harry Thomas pulled a goal back to make it 3-2 late on, Rovers held on to move up to second in Group D.

Matthew Etherington's hosts got themselves off to the perfect start when a goalmouth scramble led to the opening goal of the contest after just three minutes.

Benjamin Mensah produced the leg work down the right-hand side, skipping past two defenders and advancing into the box before putting a low cross into a dangerous area, with the ball poked home amongst a number of bodies.

However, the advantage didn’t last long and Rovers found an equaliser just six minutes later as Harrison Wood’s clipped ball into the box was met first-time by Leonard, who fired low into the bottom corner.

The same two combined just before the half-hour mark as Leonard headed home past Matthew Laycock after Wood advanced down the right-hand side and crossed into the frontman.

The hat-trick was completed soon after when the frontman capitalised on an error from Laycock, who couldn't deal with a long ball forward, with the striker slotting home into the empty net.

The visitors looked to extend their advantage as Wood’s deflected effort smashed against the crossbar before Kai Corbett had a golden opportunity at the other end, his effort straight at Felix Goddard after great work inside the box.

Goddard superbly denied Corbett in the second half when he flew to his right to beat away a free kick before Posh found a lifeline with just seven minutes of the encounter remaining.

Thomas took aim from around 25 yards out which found the top left corner via the underside of the crossbar, to set up a grandstand finish at Stamford.

However, Rovers stood firm to turn a good week into a great one and secure a second successive win.

Rovers Under-21s return to action on Saturday 1st October when Manchester United Under-21s make the trip to Leyland in Premier League 2 Division 1, kick-off 12pm.

*Photo courtesy of Peterborough United.

Report: Peterborough United Under-21s 2-3 Rovers Under-21s