Preston North End Reserves 0 Blackburn Rovers Reserves 2

A YOUNG Rovers side claimed a comfortable win at Deepdale last night after getting off to a flying start with a goal in the first minute.

David Dunn picked out Andrew McAvoy on the right and the winger's cross was deflected to Luke Staton who smashed home a left-foot finish.

That stunned Preston, who fielded an experienced side including former Bolton and Scotland striker John McGinlay.

Preston player-manager David Moyes, looking at McGinlay as a possible signing, paired him with Jason Harris but the duo could make little impact, especially against young Martin Taylor who had been playing in Lyon the previous evening.

There weren't many chances for either side but Rovers increased their lead after 78 minutes following good work by James Thomas. He found Gary Hamilton whose shot was partially saved by David Lucas but it still dropped into the net.

The nearest Preston came to scoring in front of a 2,000-plus crowd was a bad miss by Harris and an Alan Fettis save from the same player.

" I was very pleased with our lads, especially against such a strong side," said coach Terry Darracott.

ROVERS: Fettis, Worrell, Coughlan, Taylor, Croft, McAvoy, Dunn (sub Murphy 37 mins), Fitzpatrick, Staton, Topley (sub Hamilton 60 mins), Thomas. Subs not used: Brown, Williams.

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