ROVERS progressed in to round two of the Lancashire Senior Cup after seeing off a Wigan side packed with senior players at the County Ground, Leyland last night.

The impressive Joe Rankin-Costello scored twice for Rovers, only to see his goals cancelled out by a brace from Noel Hunt, including an injury-time equaliser, to send the game to penalties.

But Rovers booked their place in round two as Joe Nuttall, Lewis Hardcastle, Joe Grayson and Lewis Travis all scored from the spot, while Charlie Albinson saved from Will Grigg, in a 4-3 win.

The Rovers youngsters deservedly led at the interval courtesy of Rankin-Costello’s goal 10 minutes before the break.

He tapped in from close range after Nuttall had seen a shot come back off the post.

The winger had missed the best chance of the half prior to that, side-footing wide after collecting a loose clearing kick from Wigan keeper Jordan Perrin.

The only threat for the visitors in the first half were efforts from Gary Roberts and Ryan Colclough, one of which was deflected over, with Albinson watching the other wide of the post.

Rovers had to weather some early Wigan pressure at the start of the second half, with Colclough going close as he met a Noel Hunt cross.

But just before the hour mark, Rovers doubled their lead as Lewis Travis picked out Rankin-Costello who headed home from inside the six yard box for his second.

Rovers had done well to contain an experienced Wigan side, but were grateful to see Grigg blaze over when through on goal.

But with 16 minutes to go, the Latics set up a grandstand finish as Hunt turned the ball in from close range, meeting a Terrell Thomas cross on the stretch at the far post.

Wigan then began to enjoy their best spell of the game. Roberts went close to an equaliser with 10 minutes to go, volleying a Colclough cross wide before Grigg shot off target on the turn.

But the pressure would tell, as Hunt scored his second in injury-time, firing across Albinson.

The game went straight to penalties with no extra time and it was Rovers who prevailed. Nuttall, Hardcastle, Grayson and Travis all scored from the spot for Rovers, as despite Rankin-Costello seeing his effort saved, Albinson denied Grigg, while Colclough fired over the bar, as the hosts made it through 4-3.

Rovers: Albinson, Travis, C. Doyle, Platt, Grayson, J. Doyle, Hardcastle, Tomlinson, Mols (Boyle, 71), Rankin-Costello, Nuttall.

Subs: Dillon, Wright, Thomson, Mansell

Wigan: Perrin, Thomas, Elder (Gregory, 31), Bruce (Plant, 67), Dunkley, Power, Colclough, Perkins, Grigg, Roberts, Hunt.

Subs: McGaughey, Barrigan, Burgess