DAMIEN Johnson believes a Lancashire Senior Cup win over Wigan Athletic will prove to be an ‘invaluable’ night for his Rovers youngsters.

While Rovers named a side with no player over the age of 20, the visitors went with nine senior professionals including the likes of Gary Roberts, Will Grigg, Noel Hunt and Alex Bruce.

Joe Rankin-Costello scored twice to give Rovers a deserved 2-0 lead only for the Latics to force penalties after Hunt scored twice, including an injury-time equaliser.

But Rovers held their nerve from 12 yards, with Charlie Albinson saving from Grigg, as Johnson’s men claimed a 4-3 shootout success to extend their winning start to the season.

“When we saw their line-up we knew that it would be a real test for us,” Johnson said.

“I had a feeling we would rise to it and I was really pleased with the level of performance in the first-half and the quality of the goals.

“Obviously having gone 2-0 up it was disappointing to lose it, but the good thing is that there were very valuable lessons to learn. You have to make the right decisions when playing against wily senior pros because they will punish you. The lads will get so much out of it, it will be an invaluable night.”

Rovers deserved their victory and the only slight disappointment was that it didn’t come in 90 minutes.

But Joe Nuttall, Lewis Hardcastle, Joe Grayson and Lewis Travis all scored from the spot to book a place in round two.

Wigan used the opportunity to include a number of their new signings, and players short of game-time, but Johnson was confident in his young charges.

He added: “There are some real good characters within the group and I knew that they would respond to the challenge in the right way.

“That’s the marker and level they have to get to consistently and we will keep pushing them and pushing them.

“As a group they were asked different questions at different times.

“I thought we were good value for the 2-0 and then showed good character and mentality as even when they equalised I thought we pushed on and created a couple of opportunities.

“That was testament to their character.”

Rovers sit top of Premier League 2 Division Two after three wins from three and they begin their upcoming Premier League 2 Cup campaign later this month.

And Johnson believes all his side’s fixtures are chances for his players to impress first-team boss Tony Mowbray who watched Monday’s win at Leyland.

He added: “The win gives us another fixture and them another opportunity to play in front of the manager and make an impression.  That’s what it’s about. But it’s their daily work ethic of coming in and being the best they can be and that’s all we ask.”