BLACKBURN Rovers had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their Under-18 Premier League match at home to West Ham United this afternoon.

The Hammers went in front against the run of play in the 36th minute when Dan Kemp scored from the spot after Andy Fisher upended the same player in the box.

Rovers had previously gone close through Lewis Mansell, Joe Grayson, Tre Pemberton, Alex Curran and Stefan Mols.

But they restored parity in the 43rd minute when top-scorer Mansell finished off a move involving Mols and Curran.

Rovers continued to carry the greater threat in a more even second half with Mols, Grayson, Mason Fawns and, in the dying stages, Ramirez Howarth seeing chances come and go.

But while they were unable to force a winner their manager was satisfied with pleased with the performance they produced.

Rovers U18 lead coach Billy Barr said: “We are more than happy with the way the lads played.

“We created a lot of chances in the first half and in general the football that we played was really good.

“We are giving more first years a taste of football at this level, the lads are developing daily, you can really see that with the way they are performing.”

Rovers continue their Group One final stage programme away to Manchester City on Saturday (11am).