JOE Nuttall and Rovers Under-23s were among the goals again as they beat Ramsbottom United 4-1.

Trialist Nuttall scored twice for Damien Johnson’s men as they saw off a spirited challenge of their Evo-Stik First Division North opponents.

That followed up a 5-0 win over AFC Darwen last week in which free agent Nuttall, previously of Manchester City, scored a hat-trick.

A number of the Rovers youngsters, who featured for the first-team at York City 24 hours earlier, were included. One of those, Nuttall, put Rovers ahead after 25 minutes following good work from Stefan Mols who created the chance with a strong break forward.

Rovers doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when Lewis Hardcastle nodded in a Matty Platt cross.

And it would be 3-0 before the break as Nuttall grabbed his second when he scored from the spot after Jack Evans was brought down. 

Ramsbottom’s Ben Richardson was sent off prior to Rovers’ third goal following an off the ball incident, but the hosts were able to bring on a replacement rather than be reduced to 10 men.

The hosts reduced the arrears just after half time with substitute Greg Daniels scoring from the spot after Tyler Magloire gave away a penalty.

Lewis Thompson went close to making it 4-1 shortly afterwards, only to be denied by the crossbar.

But Rovers restored their three goal cushion with 14 minutes remaining as Lewis Travis made progress down the right and his cross was headed home by Ben Paton.

ROVERS: Fisher, Magloire (Carter, 78), Evans (Thompson, 46), Travis, Platt, Doyle, Thomson (Grayson, 46), Hardcastle (Wright, 62), Nuttall (Lynch, 76), Mols, Rankin-Costello (Paton, 70).