BLACKBURN Rovers Academy made it eight wins in their last 10 matches in all competitions with a 2-1 triumph over fellow high flyers Sunderland at a wet and windy Brockhall yesterday.

Fresh from sealing their place in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals, Billy Barr’s side avenged their undeserved defeat to the Black Cats in their last outing in the Under-18 Premier League North Division.

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Rovers went in front six minutes before the break as top-scorer Lewis Mansell tapped in his 19th goal of the season after Sunderland goalkeeper Michael Woud failed to hold Lewis Travis’ cross.

But they were pegged back in the 75th minute after substitute Josh Maja finished off a swift passing move.

Six minutes later, however, Rovers sealed a victory which moved them above their opponents into fourth in the table, courtesy of a Mason Fawns free kick.

“There was a lot riding on the game because Sunderland had defeated us at their place a fortnight ago,” said Rovers Academy goalkeeping coach Ben Benson.

“The lads were desperate to get the result to move back into the top four.

“It was a hard-fought game between two similar teams. We were tentative at the start and our final pass let us down but we are delighted with the goals we’ve scored.

“At the end we were pleased with the way we saw the game out. It is a massive part to learn how to do it, so we were delighted with the manner in which we closed out the game.”

Rovers head to second-placed Everton on Saturday.