ROVERS Under-23s bounced back from losing their unbeaten start to the season with a point on the road at Norwich City on Sunday.

Damien Johnson’s side remain second in the Premier League 2 Division Two table after a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

Rovers had won their opening three games, but were beaten 3-1 by Middlesbrough at Ewood Park in their last outing, prior to making the long trip to face the Canaries.

But they made it 10 points from their opening five games, courtesy of a draw against a Norwich City side who included first-teamers Paul Jones and Russell Martin in their line-up.

Joe Nuttall scored his eighth goal of the season, rising highest to nod the ball past Jones to put his side in front after 16 minutes as Johnson’s side started well.

But that lead lasted just four minutes, when a long ball was flicked on by Pierre Fonkeu in to the path of Tristan Abrahams who rifled a half volley in to the top corner to level the scores.

Both sides had chances to go ahead before the break, with Savvas Mourgos going close for the hosts, as his shot from a tight angle whistled wide of the post, while Nuttall was presented with a chance to double his tally, only to head over from inside the box.

After the break, Andrew Fisher in the Rovers goal made two smart stops, first denying a long-range strike from Glenn Middleton, and then Mourgos’ effort from the edge of the box as the hosts pressed for a second.

Rovers’ main threat was coming from Nuttall, and midway through the second half he should have put his side in front, only to once again fire over from a good position inside the box.

He then had two more good openings in the final 10 minutes, only to squander both, as the game ended all square.

However, Rovers would finish the game, as they had done with 10 men, as Lewis Hardcastle was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Rovers: Fisher, Tavis, Doyle (Paton, 57), Tomlinson (Buckley, 62), Doyle, Platt, Mols, Hardcastle, Nuttall, Wright, Rankin-Costello.

Rovers are next in action when they host Fulham on Monday, September 25 (7pm).