RETURNING first-team midfielder Chris Taylor set Blackburn Rovers on their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in tonight’s U21 Premier League Division Two clash at Ewood Park.

Taylor, who is closing in on full fitness after the best part of six months on the sidelines, opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a fine finish.

Summer signing Sacha Petshi doubled the advantage just before the hour mark before Anton Forrester sealed Damien Johnson’s side’s second straight home win 20 minutes from time.

Taylor had already signalled his intent when he took a pass from Ryan Nyambe and fired in a 20-yard shot that Joshua Smith pushed around the post.

But three minutes later, and from a similar distance, he made no mistake as he finished off a flowing move by unleashing a first-time drive that swerved past Smith into the bottom corner.

Parity would have been restored in the 19th minute had it not been for a stunning save from David Raya to deny Daniel Akindayini.

But the assured Spanish stopper, making his first appearance since losing his place in the first team to Jason Steele, should have been beaten two minutes before the break.

Robert Hunt sent over a cross from the right to Charlie Harris who, from six yards out, side-footed straight at Raya.

Rovers were next to truly threaten, eight minutes into the second half, with Connor Mahoney testing Smith at his near post after a powerful run down the right.

But Smith went from hero to villain in the 59th minute when his shocking pass out from the back was seized upon by Devarn Green who squared for Petshi to score.

Sam Lavelle missed a chance to extend the advantage further, heading over a Mahoney free kick, before Forrester made the game safe in the 70th minute.

Mahoney whipped over a wonderful cross to the back post where the striker stooped to head home.

Lavelle saw another opportunity come and go and, after Taylor was withdrawn in the 74th minute to warm applause, so too did Forrester after further impressive wing play from Mahoney.