BLACKBURN Rovers succumbed to the 90s version of the Mersey Beat at Ewood last night.

Not another Beatles revival, but a Tranmere side completely in tune and deserving winners of an entertaining FA Youth Cup third round tie.

Two goals in front five minutes into the second half, an impressive Tranmere side, who seemed to have an edge in both age and physique, rarely looked like relinquishing their grip - despite a stream of goal attempts from Rovers' only real threat James Beattie.

The young men from the other side of the Mersey had already disposed of their neighbours, Everton.

And they looked brisk and businesslike as they put the brakes on a Rovers team whose attacking talents had destroyed two Premiership clubs in earlier rounds.

A crowd of almost 2,000 had hoped to see tricky wingers Damien Johnson and Damien Duff in full cry.

But, whether through choice or circumstance, they were pegged back, forced to play too deep for too long and only rarely ran at the opposition. That was true of Rovers in general terms. Tranmere were the more powerful, positive and purposeful team on the night.

They won the team battle and most of the individual sorties as well, with Alan Mahon and Tommy Marsden dictating the pattern in midfield.

Number six Mahon, in particular, looked a class act, while Marsden scored a terrific opening goal with his right foot and produced an equally impressive left-foot shot in the second half.

Rovers, in contrast, too often seemed to want to have an extra touch or pass. Though, to be fair to them, many of the side are first-year apprentices and the experiences this season will stand them in good stead for the next campaign.

There were some positive contributions.

Beattie is always looking to put in a strike on goal, from any angle, any distance. That might be perceived as a fault but, then again, he does score some crackers.

And his individual duel with Tranmere's excellent keeper Mike Kinsella was a rare tussle, summed up after 22 minutes when Beattie produced an unbelievable overhead kick from the edge of the box and the keeper responded with a magnificent save.

He stopped several other efforts too.

Midfielder Luke Staton seemed the man most likely to prise open Tranmere with his passing ability and vision and Keith Brown also looked dangerous when he went on as a sub.

But Tranmere had the goals in the bag and appeared strong enough to hold on to their advantage. They were.

A loose ball ran for Marsden just outside the penalty area after 26 minutes and he hit an unstoppable shot first time past a blameless Anthony Williams. Five minutes into the second half, Robbie Walker found bags of space between Rovers' central defenders and finished with a clinical shot for the second.

Rovers' best chance of getting back into it fell to Beattie on 66 minutes, from Johnson's pass. But, this time, his finish was weak and straight at the keeper.

It summed up the difference between the teams, though both contributed to an enjoyable game and Rovers should have learned from it.

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