Brandon Powell and Tom Atcheson scored their first goals at Under-21s level, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Rovers from suffering a 5-2 defeat at home to Manchester United in Premier League 2.

In an entertaining encounter at Leyland, a Patrick Gamble own goal handed United the lead on 11 minutes, before Powell equalised with a fine finish.

Shola Shoretire restored the visitors’ advantage, before Atcheson – who signed his first pro deal with the club yesterday – netted on the stroke of half-time.

Rovers had their chances to go in front at the start of the second half and United full-back Sam Murray was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch for a rash challenge, before the free-scoring Reds netted three times in an 11-minute spell to put the game to bed – Dan Gore, Omari Forson and Joe Hugill from the spot getting the goals.

Ahead of the game, Mike Sheron made five changes to the side that lost 3-2 at home to Aston Villa last time out.

Joe Hilton, Jake Batty, Atcheson, Powell and Harley O’Grady-Macken came into the team, with Nicolas Michalski, Charlie Olson, Rory Finneran, Harrison Wood and Zak Gilsenan making way.

After an even opening, United took the lead inside 11 minutes when Gamble inadvertently diverted Mateo Mejia’s cross into his own net.

It was almost 2-0 six minutes later when United skipper Gore let fly from 25 yards out, but his effort rattled the crossbar.

The visitors threatened again on 25 minutes with a well-worked move, as Shoretire played in Gore, who back-heeled the ball to Hugill, whose shot from close range was well saved by the brilliant Hilton in the Rovers goal.

Rovers registered their first effort at goal on the half-hour mark, but James Edmondson’s effort from 25 yards out cleared the crossbar. Straight down the other end, Shoretire had time and space to shoot from the edge of the area, but his effort bounced back off the base of the post.

The hosts were back on level terms on 36 minutes with a goal of high quality, as Charlie Weston played a lovely through ball to Powell, whose first touch took him in on goal and his second saw him lift the ball over the keeper and into the far top corner.

However, United hit straight back, with Shoretire again afforded too much space in the area and this time he found the bottom corner.

Rovers were thankful to Hilton moments later, as he made an important save to divert Hugill’s effort over the bar.

And on the stroke of half-time, Rovers drew level for the second time in the game, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. A corner was played short to Jay Haddow, his cross into the area was dropped by Radek Vitek and Atcheson volleyed the ball into the empty net.

The hosts maintained their momentum after the interval, creating a flurry of chances at the start of the second half.

Batty’s shot across goal forced a fine save from Vitek low to his right. Rovers ought to have taken the lead on 56 minutes when Edmondson robbed the last defender and cut the ball back to Tom Bloxham, but he scuffed his shot into the side-netting. Former United youngster O’Grady-Macken then had two efforts in quick succession go just past the post.

But Rovers were made to pay for those missed chances as United restored their lead for the third time in the game on 68 minutes, as the impressive Gore danced past several defenders before firing into the back of the net.

The momentum swung in United’s favour following the goal, as Hilton was called upon to make two superb saves from Forson and Hugill in quick succession, before Forson struck the base of the post and Shoretire saw an effort parried away.

A fourth United goal was coming and it duly arrived 15 minutes from time when a corner was cleared as far as Forson, who smashed home a first-time shot. Moments later, Atcheson tripped Mejia in the box and Hugill made no mistake from the spot.

Hilton, who was excellent throughout, despite conceding five, denied substitutes Ethan Williams and James Scanlon in stoppage time, as United ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Next up for Rovers, a Lancashire FA Senior Cup first round tie away to Blackpool on Tuesday October 3rd.

ROVERS: Hilton, Duru, Gamble, Atcheson, Batty, Haddow (Caddick 76), Weston, Edmondson (Mullarkey-Matthews 80), Powell (Nsangou 76), O’Grady-Macken (Stritch 76), Bloxham.
Sub not used: Khan.

Goals: Powell (36), Atcheson (45+2)
Booked: Weston, O’Grady-Macken

MAN UNITED: Vitek, Kingdom, Murray (Williams 63), Aljofree, Bennett (Kambwala 64), Oyedele (Collyer 64), Mejia, Gore, Hugill, Shoretire (Scanlon 85), Forson.
Sub not used: Mee.

Goals: Gamble OG (11), Shoretire (38), Gore (68), Forson (75), Hugill (79 pen)
Booked: Gore, Murray

Report: Rovers Under-21s 2-5 Manchester United Under-21s