BRADFORD CITY RESERVES...1

BLACKBURN ROVERS...0

FORMER Manchester United and Middlesbrough goalkeeper Gary Walsh proved to be the difference between the two sides last night as Rovers' second string lost out to Bradford City at Valley Parade.

Walsh, currently being kept out of the Bantams' starting line-up by Aidan Davidson, produced a string of high class saves to frustrate Rovers.

But there were many positives for Blackburn reserve team boss Alan Murray to take from the game, not least the performances of winger Alan Morgan and lively striker Jonathan Walters.

Both youngsters were denied by Walsh when through on goal, but both displayed enough to show that Rovers have plenty of promise, quite literally, in reserve.

Both teams fielded largely inexperienced sides, although Rovers had Alan Kelly, Egil Ostenstad and Simon Grayson in their line-up, while former United winger Lee Sharpe had a quiet game for City.

Ex-Rovers midfielder Lee Makel, who only made only a couple of appearances during his three years at Ewood Park following his transfer from Newcastle, made the first impact.

Makel, currently on loan at Valley Parade from Hearts, saw his shot well saved by World Cup-bound Kelly.

Morgan then made several marauding runs down the left which created chances for Darren Dunning, Ostenstad and Walters.

Just before half-time, Ostenstad had the ball in the back of the net after more good work on the left by Morgan saw him cross to the far post. Jerome Watt knocked it back into the box where the unmarked Ostenstad headed home only to see the linesman's flag raised.

Rovers were hit by the sucker punch on the stroke of half-time. Bradford had been under the cosh for most of the first half, but broke away through winger Andy Lee and his cross was powerfully headed home by Gareth Whalley.

The former Crewe man found himself in acres of space and it was one of the few mistakes made by the otherwise impressive Rovers defence, with Scot Gordon Greer again dominant, all night.

The second half was a scrappy affair, although Ostenstad had the chance to salvage a point for Rovers two minutes from time when substitute David McNamee produced a superb cross from the right but Ostenstad didn't know whether to head or volley the ball home and only succeeded in chesting it into Walsh's arms.

BRADFORD CITY: Walsh, Bentham, Emanuel, Bennett, Bower, Makel, Lee, Whalley, Forrest, Grant, Sharpe. Subs: Fishlock, Worsnop, Brodie, Sanasy, Morgan.

BLACKBURN ROVERS: Kelly, Grayson, Murray, Dunning, Greer, Howson, Watt, O'Brien, Walters, Ostenstad, Morgan. Subs: Taylor, Robinson, Donnelly, McNamee, Bell.