BLACKBURN Rovers Academy battled back to beat Stoke City 2-1 on Saturday to record their second win of the Under-18 Premier League North Division season.

Rovers headed to Stoke’s Clayton Wood Training Ground on the back of an impressive 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City.

But, after failing to take the chances that came their way, they fell behind on the half-hour when Krisztofer Szereto fired in a free kick.

Much-changed Rovers stepped it up after the break with Tre Pemberton at the heart of everything they did well.

The winger created the 79th-minute equaliser as he slipped past his marker before delivering the ball to the back post where substitute Jack Evans took a touch before blasting in his first goal of the campaign.

Buoyant Rovers went in search of a winner and they found one five minutes later.

Stefan Mols drove forward before passing to Mason Fawns who showed awareness to take the ball to the byline before squaring for Brad Lynch to settle the contest.

Rovers assistant coach Ian Jones said: “The togetherness and the desire to win the game was outstanding.

“It was really pleasing, we had a few players missing with some being involved with the under-23s as well as a few out with injuries. So we were a little makeshift in the attacking third but we did really well.”

Rovers welcome Middlesbrough to Brockhall on Saturday (12pm).