BLACKBURN Rovers under-18s have secured a spot in the elite play-off group for the second successive season.

A 2-0 victory over fifth-placed Everton on Saturday means the Merseysiders cannot bridge the 10-point gap to Rovers, who sit fourth in the north division.

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Rovers join Manchester United, Liverpool and defending champions Manchester City in qualifying.

Rovers boss Billy Barr said: “I’m pleased for the lads. A lot of hard work has gone into them from everybody at the academy.

“We crept over the line last year to reach the top four, but this year we’ve done it with two games to spare.”

Rovers opened the scoring at Finch Farm in the 23rd-minute when winger Tre Pemberton ran from deep before finishing.

As the Toffees pressed for an equaliser, Stefan Mols broke forward for Rovers and set up Daniel Butterworth to clip the ball over the onrushing keeper to seal the victory.

Claiming a spot above Everton – who were national runners-up last season – represents another strong campaign and Barr praised his team’s performances.

“They’ve responded in the right way, they never know when they are beaten. They work tirelessly,” Barr said.

“We’ve not conceded many goals and we have a striker in Dan Butterworth that can get something out of nothing. It has been a really good season for him and quite a few of them.”

The Rovers youngsters host second-placed Man-chester United this week-end hoping to extend their five-match unbeaten run.

Ahead of that clash, Barr said: “A few of the lads could feature for the Under-23s at Newcastle on Friday, so that will give oppor-tunities for some of the younger lads against United at Brockhall on Saturday.”

In the south division Chelsea and Reading have so far guaranteed qualification for the elite play-off group.